Cauliflower is one of the most versatile veggies we work with in the kitchen and there are a number of ways to incorporate it into your cooking. Surprise your guests with a tasty appetizer starring this popular cruciferous. With a drizzle of our
Solar Grown™ Hot Honey with Cobanero Chili on top, this tasty appetizer is a great alternative to fried chicken.
Hot Honey Fried Cauliflower with Homemade Buttermilk Ranch
Recipe by the Clif Family Culinary Team
Serves 6-8 as an appetizer
INGREDIENTS:
2 heads of cauliflower
Marinade:
2 cups buttermilk
2 Tbsp hot sauce of choice
1 Tbsp kosher salt
Breading:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rice flower
1 Tbsp kosher salt
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp finely milled black pepper
1 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne
Buttermilk Ranch:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp dried parsley
¾ tsp dried dill
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp kosher salt
½ cup finely chopped chives
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Other:
Canola oil, for fryer, as needed
Clif Family Solar Grown™ Hot Honey, as needed
Coarse sea salt, as needed
DIRECTIONS:
Break down the cauliflower into 1–2-inch bite sized pieces. Remove the outer leaves and split these in half lengthwise along the stem. In a large bowl, whisk marinade ingredients together and add cauliflower pieces including the leaves, stir to coat. In another large bowl, whisk breading ingredients together.
Prepare the buttermilk ranch by whisking all ingredients together and taste for additional seasoning.
Preheat oven to 250° F. Using a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, fill about 1” deep with canola or another neutral flavored, high smoke point oil. Heat oil to 350° F. Working in small batches, remove cauliflower one by one from marinade allowing extra to drip off before adding to breading bowl, coat completely with breading before moving to hot oil. Fry until the cauliflower reaches a golden-brown color (around 3-5 minutes) and transfer to a wire rack or paper towel lined baking sheet to drain excess oil, place in oven to keep warm as you continue frying.
To serve: season with course sea salt, drizzle with
Clif Family Solar Grown™ Hot Honey and pass the buttermilk ranch for dipping. Serve hot.
SUGGESTED WINE PAIRINGS:
Clif Family Rose of Grenache Clif Family Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
