While cauliflower is delicious and nutritious, it has one drawback: it can be quite challenging to clean.
The reason is that this vegetable has numerous tiny branches growing close together, making it easy for dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants to get trapped and difficult to wash away. These can include insect eggs, soil, sand, and even pesticides. These substances can be challenging to remove, so it is essential to wash cauliflower thoroughly before consumption.
A Guide to Properly Washing Cauliflower
According to chefs, cauliflower can be tricky to clean thoroughly if you don’t know the proper techniques. Typically, people wash cauliflower with water and soak it in a saltwater solution. However, this is not enough to ensure complete cleanliness and the removal of harmful substances.
Step 1: Cut the Cauliflower into Small Pieces
Instead of breaking the cauliflower into florets with your hands, which can cause it to crumble, use a knife or scissors to cut along the stem. This method saves time and effort while ensuring the vegetable remains intact.
Step 2: Soak the Cauliflower in Saltwater
Add a spoonful of salt to a bowl of clean water and stir to dissolve. Then, immerse the cut cauliflower in the saltwater and soak it for about 10 minutes.
Salt acts as a disinfectant, killing bacteria and other microorganisms on the vegetable. Additionally, the salt concentration encourages any remaining insect eggs to float to the surface, making them easier to remove.
Step 3: Add Baking Soda
If you have baking soda on hand, sprinkle a small amount into the bowl of cauliflower. This ingredient has excellent cleaning properties and will help break down any remaining dirt and grime on the vegetable.
Step 4: Use Flour
You may be surprised to learn that flour can be used to clean cauliflower. In reality, flour is an excellent absorbent. It will attract and remove any remaining dirt and grime from the surface of the cauliflower that may not have been eliminated in the previous steps.
Simply add one to two spoons of flour to the bowl of cauliflower and stir to create a homogeneous mixture. Soak the vegetable for about 10 minutes. Note that you can substitute cornstarch for the flour if desired.
After soaking, you will notice that the water has become cloudy, and dirt and other impurities will be floating on the surface.
Step 5: Rinse the Cauliflower with Clean Water
Once you have completed the previous steps, thoroughly rinse the cauliflower under running water until the water runs clear.
After properly washing the cauliflower, you can proceed to cook it in a variety of delicious ways. Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable, and the Bếp Eva team is excited to share one of our favorite recipes: a mouthwatering stir-fried cauliflower dish that is easy to prepare. Let’s get started!
Stir-Fried Cauliflower: A Restaurant-Worthy Dish
Ingredients
– White cauliflower: 500g
– Garlic: 5 cloves
– Soy sauce: 2 spoons
– Oyster sauce: 1 spoon
– Pepper
– Scallions
– White sugar
– Cornstarch: 2 spoons
– Cooking oil
– Fresh chili peppers
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preparation
– Cut the cauliflower into small pieces, then wash and soak them in saltwater, baking soda, and flour. Finally, rinse the florets under running water.
– Slice the chili peppers and garlic. Cut the scallions into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
– In a bowl, combine 2 spoons of soy sauce, 1 spoon of oyster sauce, 2 spoons of cornstarch, a pinch of sugar, and some water. Mix well.
Step 3: Blanch the Cauliflower
– In a pot, bring a sufficient amount of water to a boil.
– Carefully place the cauliflower florets into the boiling water. Be careful not to over-blanch, as this can cause the cauliflower to lose its vibrant color.
– Remove the cauliflower from the pot and immediately plunge it into a bowl of cold water. This step helps to retain the crispness and bright color of the vegetable.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Cauliflower
– Heat oil in a wok or large pan. Add the garlic, scallions, and chili peppers, and sauté until fragrant.
– Toss in the cauliflower and stir-fry on high heat. Ensure that you are stirring continuously.
– Since the cauliflower has already been partially cooked during blanching, you don’t need to stir-fry it for too long. Pour in the sauce mixture from Step 2 and continue stirring until the cauliflower is well-coated.
Step 5: Final Touches
– Just before serving, add the scallions and give the dish a final stir.
– Serve the stir-fried cauliflower on a plate and enjoy while it’s hot.
Desired Outcome
The white cauliflower should retain its bright color after stir-frying. The vegetable should be crisp and tender, with a delicious flavor that is not overly soft.
The sauce should be flavorful and slightly spicy, making it a perfect side dish or accompaniment to plain white rice.
