Craving a mouthwatering plant-based dish that combines the crispy texture of perfectly baked cauliflower with a tantalizing sweet and tangy orange sauce? Look no further! This Chinese-style vegan orange cauliflower recipe is about to revolutionize your dinner game, delivering restaurant-quality flavors right from your own kitchen. Prepare to impress your taste buds and dinner guests with this incredibly easy yet stunning dish that proves vegan cooking can be both exciting and delicious.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the cauliflower by washing and cutting it into uniform bite-sized florets, ensuring they are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine plant-based milk and cornstarch, whisking thoroughly until a smooth batter forms without any lumps.
- Dip each cauliflower floret into the cornstarch-milk batter, ensuring complete and even coating. Allow excess batter to drip off before placing on a prepared baking sheet.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
- Arrange battered cauliflower florets on the baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching each other for crispy results.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cauliflower is golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- While cauliflower is baking, prepare the orange sauce by combining orange juice, soy sauce, maple syrup, minced ginger, and minced garlic in a saucepan.
- Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Once cauliflower is crispy, remove from oven and immediately toss in the prepared orange sauce, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with finely chopped green onions for added freshness and color.
- Serve hot immediately, optionally with steamed rice or your preferred side dish.
Tips
- Ensure your cauliflower florets are cut uniformly to guarantee even cooking and crispy results.
- Use a whisk when mixing cornstarch and plant-based milk to prevent lumpy batter.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet - give each floret space to crisp up properly.
- For extra crispiness, pat cauliflower dry before battering to remove excess moisture.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic for the most vibrant flavor in your orange sauce.
- Serve immediately after tossing in sauce to maintain the crispy texture.
- Experiment with different plant-based milks to find your preferred batter consistency.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
