Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

These oven-baked cauliflower bites are flavored like fried chicken wings but without the grease or guilt.

3⁄4 cup plus 2 tablespoons

all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 1⁄4 teaspoons kosher salt 1 1⁄2 teaspoons black

pepper

1 cup sparkling water,

chilled

2⁄3 cup Frank’s RedHot

Original Cayenne Pepper

Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted

butter

Canola oil, for brushing 1 large head of cauliflower, cored and cut into 2-inch florets

Blue cheese dressing and

celery sticks, for serving Instructions: Heat the oven to 450 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the chilled sparkling water and whisk until a smooth batter forms.

In a small saucepan, warm the hot sauce with the butter over moderate heat until the butter is melted. Keep warm.

Lightly brush two rimmed baking sheets with canola oil. Dip the cauliflower florets in the batter, letting the excess drip back into the bowl, then arrange them on the prepared sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the batter is just beginning to brown and the cauliflower is just tender.

Remove from the oven, drizzle the buttery hot sauce over the cauliflower, toss gently to coat and bake for 18-20 minutes longer, until the sauce is lightly caramelized.

Remove from the oven, season the Buffalo cauliflower with salt and serve warm with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Makes 8 servings From foodandwine.com