Oven-Baked Breaded Cauliflower
Ingredients: 1 piece cauliflower, 1 egg, a few tablespoons breadcrumbs, salt and pepper, sour cream for serving (optional), 1 tablespoon oil (or spray)
To prepare delicious breaded cauliflower, the recipe begins with carefully cleaning the vegetable. The green leaves are removed, and the cauliflower is cut into small florets, ensuring that each floret is uniform. After that, it is washed well under a stream of cold water, making sure to eliminate any impurities or residue.
In a generous pot, water and salt are added, and then placed over medium heat. When the water starts to boil, the cauliflower florets are added. It is important to boil them only until a fork easily goes into them, but not to leave them too long, as we want them to remain slightly crunchy. After about 5-7 minutes of boiling, the cauliflower is ready, and we remove it from the water to drain well.
In a separate bowl, an egg is beaten with a little salt and pepper, mixing well to obtain a homogeneous composition. Each cauliflower floret is dipped in the beaten egg, ensuring it is evenly coated. Then, they are rolled in breadcrumbs, giving them a crunchy crust. It is recommended to use fresh breadcrumbs or, for a more intense flavor, breadcrumbs flavored with herbs.
After all the florets are coated with breadcrumbs, they are arranged in a heat-resistant tray in a single layer. The tray should be lightly greased with oil to prevent sticking. On top, a few drops of oil are drizzled, which will help form a golden crust during baking.
We preheat the oven to a high temperature, about 200 degrees Celsius (or 400 degrees Fahrenheit). Then, we place the tray in the oven and let the cauliflower bake for 20-25 minutes or until it becomes nicely browned and crunchy. It is important to check from time to time to ensure they do not burn.
Once the cauliflower is ready, we take it out of the oven and let it cool slightly. It can be served both as a delicious standalone snack, with a spoonful of sour cream on top, and as a savory side dish alongside a juicy steak. This simple and quick recipe will surely impress anyone who tastes it, bringing a splash of flavor and color to the plate.
