Orange Sesame Cauliflower

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orange sesame cauliflower

Happy 2020!

Before we get into this Orange Sesame Cauliflower… Happy New Year! Wow, a new decade and a new year. It’s all so exciting, but sometimes I feel like this time of year is already so exhausting (so many social obligations!) and then adding in the “new decade” talk can be super overwhelming, in my opinion. 

I do love using this time of year to reflect, but I think it’s important to remember that when it comes down to it, this time of year is just like any other. We are always in control of making changes in our lives, which is such an empowering thing! 2019 was an incredible year for me. I dove straight into Seasoned by Silvie, Mike and I got married and we moved to Denver. It was a lot of change, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

One resolution I think everyone should make (bold statement, I know, but hear me out), is to eat more plants! Not only is it an important change to make for the environment, but it’s great for our health, too. Even with all of the opposing views of nutrition, almost all agree that eating more vegetables and fruits benefits our health. 

A message I’m really passionate about spreading is that your diet does not need to be all or nothing. You don’t need to be vegan to eat more plants. For me personally, I feel best when I am eating a plant-based diet that includes animal protein. I’ve tried to be vegetarian and vegan, and my body truly does crave meat. However, my meals are almost always mostly composed of plants, with a smaller amount of meat. But, just because I’m not a vegetarian doesn’t mean I don’t make an effort to eat a more plant-based diet.

Not only is eating more plants great for our planet and bodies, but also your budget! That’s truthfully a huge motivator to eat more plants. They’re so much more affordable than meat or seafood! Now, with eating more plants this year, you can meet your 2020 finance resolutions too hah!

orange sesame cauliflower

Orange sesame cauliflower

Here’s a few tips that might be helpful if you’re looking to add more plants to your diet:

Start with one meal a week. Dedicate one day to eating a vegetarian or vegan dinner.
Choose vegetables that are more hearty. I promise you won’t be satisfied if you’re trying to just eat lettuce. Instead, opt for cauliflower, eggplant, mushrooms etc. that have a more “meaty” feel!
Have higher-protein plant-based protein sources prepared. I love adding in green lentils to my rice whenever I’m having a plant-based meal. Other great sources are tofu, tempeh and beans!

Now, if you’re not a fan of vegetables, I promise you aren’t making them the right way, haha. Plant-based meals can be SO delicious, if you’re preparing them correctly and have great recipes at your fingertips, which is why I’m definitely going to be consciously developing more plant-based recipes this year!

So, a great place to start is this Orange Sesame Cauliflower! It tastes just like orange chicken (we all know that flavor), but is made with real, whole ingredients and is a great vegetarian meal. It’s also so easy to make! Win, win. 

The cauliflower is first battered by using a quick egg wash and then coating the florets in seasoned panko bread crumbs. I used a gluten-free version, but regular panko definitely works as well. After they are baked, they’re coated in a delicious sauce before being broiled for a few minutes to crispy perfection.

I love having this Orange Sesame Cauliflower in a bowl with some greens, steamed white rice and cooked green lentils. It’s a balanced, delicious meal that is so healthy and plant-based!

orange sesame cauliflower
orange sesame cauliflower

Orange Sesame Cauliflower

Cauliflower florets are breaded and baked before being tossed in an orange sesame sauce and broiled to golden deliciousness for a plant-based, gluten-free alternative!
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course Main Course
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head cauliflower medium
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs I used a gluten-free version
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 eggs

Orange Sesame Sauce

  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1/2 orange, juiced
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger root or substitute 1 tsp jarred minced ginger
  • 1.5 tsp toasted sesame oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425.
  • Wash and dry cauliflower before chopping into florets.
  • In a bowl, whisk 2 eggs together.
  • In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup arrowroot starch, panko bread crumbs, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
  • Using tongs, coat the cauliflower florets in the egg wash before coating in the panko mixture, shaking off any excess before placing on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Repeat with all of the cauliflower florets. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, flip the cauliflower florets and continue to bake for another 10 minutes.
  • Whisk together the ingredients for the Orange Sesame Sauce in a large bowl.
  • Add cauliflower florets to the bowl with the sauce, stirring to coat.
  • Turn oven to broil on high.
  • Place cauliflower back on the baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes until crispy. Keep an eye on it so they do not burn!
Keyword cauliflower, healthy, orange, sesame

My wish for you all is that 2020 brings you health, happiness and GOOD EATS! Thanks so much for coming to my little corner of the internet and making 2019 the best year yet. If you love this recipe, please come say hi on Instagram or Pinterest!

To close out 2019, I made a list of all of my favorite products from December. Check it out here!

 

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