Super Bowl Super Foods: Cauliflower Finally Scores & Wins!

I never thought i'd meet a veggie that i didn't like, but to be honest Cauliflower was never a standout to me. I'm sure you can relate. Come on now, don't act like you actually LIKE cauliflower, or for that matter that you get enough of it in your diet. I'm no stranger to showing up late to a party, and all that's ever left at the veggie tray is a stack of stiff white florets and maybe a crooked dwarfed cocktail carrot that sadly resembles a broken thumb. Plus it's the only veggie that is ALWAYS stocked at the market and always sells for a reasonable price. There never seems to be a shortage of cauliflower no matter what the season. Recently, i stumbled upon a recipe to make pizza crust from cauliflower and this intrigued me. While the crust didn't come out as successful as i'd hoped, the flavor was good....so I've been working with this funny white cabbage over the past few weeks trying to perfect the recipe (soon to post). During this process, there were many failed attempts which left me with a pile of this daunting white cruciferous vegetable. Without wanting to waste it, it got me exploring...what else could i do with cauliflower? And so i played, and grated, and mashed, and cooked, and discovered that this is one hell'uva versatile veggie! The best part is that it's SO INCREDIBLY healthy (which probably is why most of us hated it as kids) and it's PACKED...i mean PACKED with fiber. It boasts an incredibly low caloric content (less than 30 calories a cup), and as a cruciferous veggie it's packed with antioxidants and is known as one of our great cancer fighter/preventer superfoods. That's just another reason to fall in love with Cauliflower. I know...you still have doubt...however, i've created a GREAT hummus dip - perfect for upcoming Superbowl Sunday...and a great way to unknowingly sneak cauliflower into someone's diet. Better than basic hummus...it's my "SuperBowl SuperFood" Cilantro hummus dip. It's light and fluffy with less calories per tbsp than standard hummus but still packed with fiber. Tastes great with veggies sticks, pita, even fritos! So while the ladies munch on crudites with the hummus, the guys will be scooping up their fixin' of fiber and nutrients on a fat ol' frito lay chip. Touch Down For Cauliflower! You might even fall in love with it so much that you too will have a new found love and appreciation, and will never leave the market without it again.

"Superbowl Superfood" Cilantro Hummus

3 cups cooked cauliflower (start with about 4 raw)
15 oz can of organic great northern beans rinsed and drained, or 2 cups fresh beans (you are welcome to play with garbanzo or cannellini or whichever beans you prefer for your hummus)
2-3 medium cloves of garlic (i like it stinky!)
juice of one lemon
2 tbsp of olive oil
1 tbsp of tahini
1 cup fresh cilantro
sea salt to taste

Easy Recipe. Cook the cauli (i steamed mine). Toss all the ingredients into a food processor or blender. Salt to taste (i put in about 5 good cranks). Feel free to try different herbs and flavors (basil, mint and cilantro, roasted red peppers, dill, etc) Store in fridge, but consume within 3 days. Cooked cauli shouldn't really be stored longer than that. Uncooked cauli will hold in the fridge in a plastic bag for about a week.

Do you have any great cauliflower recipes? Post a reply with your fave!

(photo/image from google images)