CRISPY BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Salads don’t have to be boring. In fact, they should blow your socks off and keep you coming back for more. With all the textures, flavors and hardiness of a full meal, this salad puts all other salads to shame. It’s packed with protein from the hemp hearts, chickpeas and quinoa; loaded with phytonutrients and crunch from the leafy greens and veggies; and just the right amount of flavor from the crispy, spicy, tangy Buffalo cauliflower. Cheers!

CRISPY BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free

Recipe by Jentry Lee Hull; Inspired by Hot for Food and Sid Garza-Hillman

CRISPY BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER INGREDIENTS

· 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

· ½ cup blanched almond flour

· ½ cup oat flour

· ½ tsp. pink salt

· 2 tsp. garlic powder

· ½ tsp. cayenne

· ½ tsp. paprika

· ½ tsp. Old Bay seasoning

· 1 tsp. onion powder

· 1 cup plant milk (use plain unsweetened)

· 1 cup buffalo sauce (Wing Time)

· 2 tsp. melted dairy-free butter or refined coconut oil (Miyoko’s Kitchen European Style Cultured Vegan Butter)

SALAD INGREDIENTS

· 1 head romaine lettuce, chiffonade

· 4 large handfuls baby kale or other dark, leafy greens

· 1 cucumber, sliced

· 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced

· 2 carrots, shredded

· ¼ red onion, thinly sliced and diced

· ½ bell pepper, sliced

· 1 cup cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained

· 1 cup cooked and cooled quinoa

· 3 Tbsp. hemp hearts

CASHEW RANCH DRESSING INGREDIENTS

· 2 cups raw cashews, soaked in boiling water for 15 minutes*

· 1 ½ to 2 cups water, depending on your consistency preference

· Juice from 1 lemon

· 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

· 2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast

· 1 tsp. garlic powder

· 1 tsp. onion powder

· ½ tsp. cayenne

· ½ tsp. ground white pepper

· 1 tsp. dried dill or 1 Tbsp. fresh dill

· 1-2 tsp. pink Himalayan salt, or to taste

CRISPY BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER METHOD

1.    Preheat oven to 450 °

2.    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3.    Rinse and break cauliflower into bite-sized florets.

4.    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together almond/oat flours, salt, garlic powder, cayenne, paprika, Old Bay seasoning, onion powder, and plant milk.

5.    Dip and coat each floret in the mixture and shake off any excess before laying out on the lined baking sheet. Repeat until all florets are coated.

6.    Bake for 15 minutes at 450 °

7.    Flip and bake for another 12-15 minutes, or until florets are browned around the edges.

8.    Meanwhile, combine wing sauce and melted butter/coconut oil in a large mixing bowl.

9.    Remove cauliflower from the oven, once cooked for about 25-30 minutes, and let sit for about 5 minutes.

10.  Using a spatula, transfer cauliflower from the baking sheet to the wing sauce mixture and toss to evenly coat.

11.  Place sauced cauliflower back onto lined baking sheet and cook for another 15 minutes. Flip and cook for another 12-15 minutes or until crisp and browned on the edges.

12.  Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes before serving.

SALAD METHOD

1.    Rinse, cut and prepare the salad ingredients.

2.    Combine in a large mixing bowl and toss with dressing.

3.    Transfer to serving bowls, top with Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower bites and enjoy!

CASHEW RANCH DRESSING METHOD

1.    Soak cashews in boiling water for 15 minutes or *for at least one hour at room temp.

2.    In a high-powered blender or food processor, combine soaked cashews and remaining ingredients and blend until creamy and smooth.

3.    Adjust seasoning to taste.

4.    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.