5 ways to use up cauliflower leaves
Check out our best cauliflower leaf recipes to use the whole veg – great for reducing waste and ensuring your diet is rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Cauliflower is a mighty veg, packed with vitamins, a great source of antioxidants, high in choline and rich in sulforaphane – read our helpful guide on the top 5 health benefits of cauliflower to learn more about why these are important for a healthy, balanced diet.
You may know it from the classic cauliflower cheese or have seen it trending as cauliflower rice, a healthy alternative to rice, or as a vegan replacement for ‘steaks’ like in our roasted cauliflower steaks recipe. But did you know that you can eat the whole cauliflower? Leaf and stem included. They are both incredible sources of iron and should not be discarded.
We have gathered five of our best cauliflower leaf recipes to use the whole veg, from comforting gratins to spicy curries. For more inspiration on how to cook cauliflower, check out our cauliflower recipes.
1. Roasted cauliflower with harissa & chickpea sauce
This Middle Eastern-inspired dish is a great way to use cauliflower when it’s in season. Roast the whole veg and serve with a spiced chickpea sauce made with onion, tomatoes and harissa.
Discover more Middle Eastern recipes.
2. Harissa cauliflower pilaf
Make this delicious harissa cauliflower pilaf for an easy weeknight main suitable for vegans. Spice your rice with saffron and bay-infused stock, and then scatter through a combination of fruits, nuts and all the chopped up parts of your cauliflower. Garnish with pomegranate seeds for a burst of sweetness.
Discover more versatile pilaf recipes.
3. Microwave cauliflower cheese
Save time and energy by cooking this British classic in the microwave. It’s a great side dish to a Sunday roast but rich and filling enough to work as a stand-alone main. Adding the cauliflower stalk and leaves adds different textures to the dish, making it more interesting. Complement the cheesiness with a crunchy chopped salad.
Read our helpful guide to energy-efficient cooking.
4. Cheesy green veg gratin
Jazz up cauliflower cheese with purple sprouting broccoli, spinach and a cheddar and chive sauce. Be sure to use the cauliflower leaves, too, for extra flavour. And if you don’t want to waste a thing, all of your purple sprouting broccoli is also edible.
Discover more purple sprouting broccoli recipes, from salads and sides to hearty pasta bakes.
5. Cauliflower curry
This simple vegan curry is a great midweek meal that can be on the table in an hour. It’s vegan and gluten-free so that everyone can enjoy it. Serve it as part of a large vegetarian spread with complementary curries like saag aloo, potato curry, chana masala and plenty of naans and parathas for dipping.
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