Grilled Cauliflower – IndoChinese Style

EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP

THEME: #159 GRILLED RECIPES

Today has been one of those crazy days when I felt that work is just not getting less! I usually have a list of things or chores mentally prepared so that I can tackle it methodically. However, it needs just one element to throw it off course… my maid! Yes, can’t do without her and at the same time just don’t want her around sometimes. I waited till 9.30 a.m. and she didn’t show up so then speed  had to be picked up as I’ve got laundry to do, to cook, wash utensils, sweep and mop. What do I hate the most? Wiping the utensils after they’ve been washed!

Why is it that in places like UK, US, Australia, Canada, etc we can cope with housework so easily and not in places like Kenya, India, and other countries where help is easily available. I console myself by assuring me that when I’m in Canada I don’t have to sweep and mop everyday, washing machine and dryers take care of clothes, dish washers take care of dishes and they come out squeaky dry. Here I have to boil the milk every day otherwise it will get spoilt by next day, sweep every single day sometimes twice if the wind changes as it brings in so much dust. Dusting everyday, and no dish washer. One advantage I have is a washing machine so only need to hang out the clothes. But still have to iron them!

So finally all has been tackled and I finally sit down to type my recipe for today and hubby walks in to ask what’s for dinner? Now, I just want to scream. Can’t I get some breathing space? Told him there are still 2 hours before dinner time so will tackle it at that time. He just looked at me and walked out of the room.

As I open the computer and go onto Facebook, what do I see, a BonusApp award as one of the top 10 Versatile Bloggers. Now that has taken all the tiredness away. My blog doesn’t easily get awards and recognitions so this definitely has me over the moon. (Will make something nice for hubby’s dinner..hehhee!). Versatile my blog certainly is as its got recipes from all over the world. Not sure what Bonusapp is but they had approached me a couple of weeks ago for blog details and photos.

Coming to today’s theme, Preethi who blogs at Preethi’s Cuisine suggested that we have grilled recipes this week. I initially had plans of making mixed grilled vegetables, but shopping plans didn’t work out. So during the weekend decided to use cauliflower, the lone vegetable in my fridge for my grilled recipe. I made it into an IndoChinese flavour.

Simple, not fried and delicious as a snack or an appetizer, this recipe can be made within an hour.

GRILLED CAULIFLOWER – INDOCHINESE STYLE

Serves 4

500g cauliflower (the weight is without the green stalks).

2 tbsp oil

1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

1 tbsp soy sauce

½ tsp kashmiri chilli powder

1 tsp salt

For the Sweet and Hot Sauce:

3 tbsp light soy sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

2 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp oil

2 tbsp brown sugar or honey

1 cup vegetable stock or water

1 tbsp hot chili sauce

1 tbsp ginger paste

2 tbsp very finely chopped onion

1 tsp garlic paste

1 tbsp cornflour(cornstarch)

¼ tsp coarse pepper powder

1 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder

½ tsp salt

For topping:

1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds

2 tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander leaves

Preparation of the cauliflower:

1. Cut the cauliflower into bite size florets. Make sure there are no worms in between.
2. Soak the cauliflower in water for 10 minutes.
3. Drain out the water and wash well.
4. Heat some water in a saucepan, enough that it covers the cauliflower florets.
5. When it begins to boil, add the cauliflower and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. You want it slightly soft and not completely cooked.
6. Drain out the water. Let the cauliflower cool down a bit.
7. Mix oil, soy sauce, salt and cornflour in a big bowl.
8. Add the cauliflower and mix gently to coat.
9. Let the cauliflower marinate in the sauce for 20-30 minutes.
10. In the meantime prepare the sauce and also soak the skewer sticks in water.

 

Preparation of the sweet and hot sauce:

1. Take about a ¼ cup of the vegetable stock or water. Add cornflour in it and mix it well.
2. In a bowl mix the cornflour water, remaining stock or water, soy sauce, sugar or honey, vinegar, chili sauce, salt, pepper and the chili powder.
3. Add both the oils into a small saucepan.
4. Heat it over low heat.
5. Add onions and stir fry till its cooked and becomes soft.
6. Add ginger and garlic paste and stir fry for 1 minute.
7. Add the mixture you made in step 2.
8. Keep on stirring the sauce over medium heat till it begins to thicken.
9. Take the pan off the heat.
10. Transfer the sauce into a serving bowl.

 

Grilling the cauliflower:

1. Switch on the grill or broiler at high setting.
2. Thread the cauliflower onto the skewers, my skewer sticks were small so I threaded 3 on each.
3. Place on a greased baking tray.
4. Grill or broil then cauliflower for 5-7 minutes.
5. Remove the tray and brush the cauliflower florets lightly with the sweet and hot sauce.
6. Return the tray under the grill or broiler. Grill the florets for another 3-4 minutes or till they turn golden in colour.
7. Remove the skewers from the tray and place them on a serving plate.
8. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped coriander and serve immediately with the sweet and hot sauce.

 

Tips:

• Use vegetables of your choice.
• Can use brown sugar instead of honey.
• If you don’t have a grill or a broiler then place the florets in a wide pan and cook over the stove over high heat.

 

A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

• add a comment below,
• send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
•  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
• or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962

 

You may want to check out the following grilled recipes:

 

 

 

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