I love cauliflower.  It's a great option when you are looking for an easy main that is tasty and healthy.  Now, I'm not one of those crazy vegans that think it tastes like actual chicken, but when roasted, it does have a certain "meaty", chewy texture that is sometimes missing in vegan food.  I make cauliflower steaks a lot.  If not barbecued, sometimes marinated with a soy and miso paste or another favorite- chimichurri.  That's the great thing about this veg...it's versatile and works with just about any flavor you throw at it.

This is a super simple recipe (as most of mine are) that you can eat at bbq, cookout or if you you are looking for something cheap and easy.  Throw it on the grill or roast in the oven, this Barbecue Cauliflower is a good one to keep in your back pocket.

Cauliflower

• 1 medium to large head Cauliflower

• 2 tsp. Oil  (since I'm roasting at a high heat, I don't like to use olive oil, I prefer canola)

• 1 tsp. Cumin powder

• 1/2 tsp. Garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp. Onion powder

• 1/2 tsp. Salt (sea, kosher)

Barbecue Sauce

• 1  1/2 C. Ketchup

• 1 tsp. Mustard (yellow)

• 1/2  C.  Apple cider vinegar

• 2 T. Sugar  

• 2 T. Maple syrup

• 1 T. Blackstrap molasses

• 1 tsp. Garlic powder

• 1 tsp. Onion powder

• 1 tsp. Smoked paprika

• 1 T. Worcestershire sauce (vegan)

• 1/4 tsp. Liquid smoke (optional)

• 1- 2 tsp. Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

• 1 C. Water

• 1/2- 1 tsp. Pepper (ground)

• Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat Oven to 400
2. Wash cauliflower- pat dry
3. Gently remove leafy stems, but make sure the cauliflower stays together at the root
4. Slice cauliflower in half and then each half  in half  (about an inch and a half in thickness- you can cut thinner, but I think you lose the "meatiness" of the steak)
5. Combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl and mix until well combined.
6. Brush your steaks with the oil.
7. Sprinkle on spices
8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, a silicone matt (like a Silpat) or non-stick foil.

Real talk:  You're  most likely only going to get two good steaks out of a cauliflower...once you slice the half in half, the part that is not connected to the root will most likely break apart.  It's ok.  Just accept it and move on.  Ain't nothin' wrong with some cauliflower bites.

Place the steaks in the oven and cook on one side for about 20 minutes.  I suggest you make the barbecue sauce while the steaks are cooking.  Basically, just add all of your ingredients to a pan on medium-high heat.  Let the sauce come to a soft bubble, give it a good whisk or a stir and let simmer on low for about 10 minutes.  By this time, your steaks will probably be ready to flip- just make sure that they are golden and starting to caramelize on one side.

Cook for another 15- 20 minutes.  When your second side looks good, take the steaks out and brush some bbq sauce on the top (as much or as little as you want).  Place the steaks back in the oven for another 5 minutes to seal in the sauce.  If you like some burnt edges so it's reminiscent of a barbecue, turn the broiler on a low setting and let the edges get crispy- JUST BE CAREFUL IF YOU ARE USING PARCHMENT PAPER.

Once done, remove the steaks and let rest for a couple of minutes.  

You can enjoy these steaks with you normal bbq sides- coleslaw, potato salad, corn, baked beans or maybe just with a nice salad with avocado and tomatoes....whatever you like, it's up to you.

If I had a grill, I would probably enjoy these steaks on it so as to have a more authentic barbecue experience, but they taste really good just roasting in the oven.

How do you like to barbecue?  Do you like to use veggies?  Tofu? Or are you more into vegan meats?  Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for spending some time....

Debbie