CAULIFLOWER PIZZA BITES

CAULIFLOWER PIZZA BITES

Cauliflower in the fridge and I needed an inspiration. I wanted to make something different, something unusual and preferably delicious. After bit of internet searching I found a recipe for cauliflower pizza bites. I might have had an intention to follow the recipe step by step since I did have all the ingredients on hand (for a change) but I just could not help myself to tinker with it. Here is the original recipe link, credit where credit is due: http://www.damyhealth.com/2012/06/vegan-cauliflower-pizza-bites/

To all you cauliflower haters (I know there are quite a few out there) this may just change the way you see it. My kids are the proof, they both approached the bites with trepidation: “Yuck it has cauliflower in it. I hate cauliflower.” After the first mouthful they changed their mid. They will be definitely on the menu again.

Two of my student clinic clients came to see me with peri-menopausal symptoms and I think this is the perfect recipe for them. The tofu is a source of isoflavones and linseeds are so rich in lignans, both powerful phytoestrogens that may help alleviate symptoms of peri-menopause (or menopause). Cauliflower itself is a member of the amazing cruciferous family of vegetables, rich in nutrients that aid liver function. A healthy liver is crucial for regulating hormones. This is a definitely one for a client recipe folder.

Even if cauliflower is not a favorite of yours please do have a go. I may just have to make these for my son’s guitar teacher as he claims cauliflower is his mortal enemy.

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CAULIFLOWER PIZZA BITES
makes 12

ingredients
2 cups cauliflower
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 flax egg (1tbs flax 3 Tbs water)
1/2 firm tofu
1/2 chickpeas, cooked and drained ( I used tinned ones)
2 tbs nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1-2 Tbs non dairy milk
2 tsp sun-dried tomato paste
salt to taste
healthy oil in a spray to grease the muffin pan
2 tbs regular tomato paste
6 green olives

method
  1. Grate the cauliflower in a food processor until you achieve couscous like texture.
  2. Cook the cauliflower in a frying pan adding water (couple tablespoons at a time) till softened, this will take about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let it cool down.
  3. Next prepare the flax egg, simply mix the ground flax seed and egg and let sit for a few minutes.
  4. Ad oregano, thyme, garlic powder, flax egg, tofu, chickpeas, nutritional yeast, chilli powder, non- dairy milk and sun-dried tomato paste into a blender or food processor. Blend till smooth (or as smooth as you can achieve).
  5. Mix in the cauliflower
  6. Lightly spray the muffin pan with oil spray, divide the mixture between the 12 - muffin pan. Top each pizza bite with 1/2 tsp of tomato puree and half an olive.
  7. Bake at 180 for about 30min. Let it cool down slightly before taking them out of a pan. This is the most tricky bit. Enjoy as a snack or part of a meal.

Before going into the oven
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