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Nashville Hot Cauliflower Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 147 reviews

Nashville Hot Cauliflower is a bold, spicy twist on the classic Nashville hot chicken, featuring crispy battered cauliflower steaks fried to golden perfection and coated in a fiery cayenne pepper oil. Served with dill pickle chips and white sandwich bread, this vegetarian dish delivers all the heat and flavor without any meat.

Ingredients

Scale

Batter and Coating

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for seasoning
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar-based hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)

Main Ingredient

  • 1 large head of cauliflower
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1 1/2 cups)

Spiced Oil Topping

  • 3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

To Serve

  • 1/2 cup dill pickle chips
  • 8 slices white sandwich bread

Instructions

  1. Prepare Dry and Wet Mixtures: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large shallow dish, whisk together the flour, paprika, black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. In another large shallow dish, whisk the egg, buttermilk, and hot sauce until fully combined.
  2. Slice Cauliflower: Place the cauliflower head stem down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the cauliflower into approximately 1/4 inch thick steaks. Expect the outer ends to crumble; reserve those for other uses. There should be about 4 center steaks. Trim the bottoms of the stems and season all over with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
  3. Bread Cauliflower Steaks: One at a time, dredge each cauliflower steak first in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture letting excess drip off, then back into the flour mixture, firmly pressing to ensure coating sticks. Place the breaded steaks on the prepared baking sheet and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to set the crust.
  4. Heat Oil for Frying: Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet for draining the fried cauliflower. Pour vegetable oil into a large pan to a depth of 1/4 inch and heat over medium-high until a deep-fry or instant-read thermometer reads 350°F. To test, drop a bit of the buttermilk mixture; it should sizzle upon contact.
  5. Fry Cauliflower Steaks: Fry the breaded cauliflower steaks in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each side for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and transfer to the wire rack-lined baking sheet. Immediately season with salt. Adjust heat as necessary to maintain oil temperature throughout frying.
  6. Reserve Hot Oil: After frying all steaks, carefully skim 1/2 cup of the hot frying oil from the pan with a spoon. Set this aside for making the spiced oil.
  7. Make Spiced Oil: In a small bowl, whisk together cayenne pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Pour the reserved hot oil over the spice mixture—the oil should sizzle—then stir well to combine into a flavorful Nashville-style hot oil.
  8. Assemble and Serve: Divide the fried cauliflower steaks among plates. Generously spoon the spiced oil over each steak. Serve with dill pickle chips and slices of white sandwich bread on the side for the authentic Nashville hot experience.

Notes

  • Letting the breaded cauliflower rest before frying helps the coating adhere better and results in a crispier crust.
  • Use a thermometer to accurately maintain frying oil temperature for even cooking and to avoid greasy cauliflower.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper amount in the spiced oil to control heat level according to your preference.
  • Reserve cauliflower ends can be roasted or used in soups to minimize waste.
  • Ensure to use fresh vegetable oil for best flavor and safety when frying.

Keywords: Nashville Hot Cauliflower, spicy cauliflower, fried cauliflower, vegetarian fried food, Nashville hot chicken alternative, cayenne oil, southern style cauliflower

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/nashville-hot-cauliflower-recipe/