Description
Sticky Sesame Cauliflower is a delightful Asian-inspired dish featuring crispy, crunchy cauliflower florets coated in a sticky, spicy, and sweet sesame sauce. This flavorful vegetarian main course offers a perfect balance of textures and tastes, ideal for anyone craving a satisfying plant-based meal.
Ingredients
Cauliflower
- 1 medium Cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/3 cup Rice flour
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp oil
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder (optional)
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup Water
Sauce
- 1.5 tbsp Sesame oil
- 1/4 cup Light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 1-2 tbsp Sriracha Sauce, adjust to taste
- 1 inch Fresh ginger, finely minced
- 4-5 cloves Fresh garlic, finely minced
- 2-3 tbsp Honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1/4 cup Water
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Spring onions
- Sliced chillis
Instructions
- Prepare Cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F) and line a baking tray with foil or parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk together rice flour, cornstarch, oil, garlic powder (if using), and water until smooth and thick. Coat the cauliflower florets evenly with this batter and arrange them in a single layer on the prepared tray.
- Bake Cauliflower: Bake the coated cauliflower for 20-25 minutes at 200°C (392°F) until just cooked and still crunchy, being careful not to overcook to maintain texture.
- Make Sauce: While cauliflower bakes, combine sesame oil, light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, minced ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat for 5-6 minutes to meld flavors.
- Thicken Sauce: Whisk cornstarch with water in a small bowl until smooth, then add it to the simmering sauce. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in honey (or maple syrup), then taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Assemble: Toss the baked cauliflower in the prepared sticky sesame sauce until fully coated. Garnish generously with sesame seeds, sliced spring onions, and sliced chillis. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the delicious combination of flavors and textures.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, make sure cauliflower florets are coated evenly and baked in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Adjust Sriracha quantity to control the heat level according to your taste preference.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan-friendly version.
- You can substitute rice flour with all-purpose flour if unavailable, but rice flour yields a lighter crunch.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
