Cauliflower Hot Wings

Sometimes it seems like as soon as a food is no longer available, that is immediately the food I want. Right now that is hot wings. Especially hot wings from The Peanut in Kansas City… just yum. I am not sure why, I rarely eat them when I am in my real life, maybe it is the cold weather, basketball and Super Bowl season or the fact that I have not had really good, really spicy food of any kind in a long, long time. I miss spicy food and I guess it is manifesting itself in a desire for hot wings. Unfortunately, here in Lisbon there is no place to get hot wings. Plus, between all the nata and other treats we have been indulging in, I am looking more something a bit healthier. So cauliflower hot wings it will be!

I am also unable to find a sauce- there is plenty of the piri-piri spice, but I am looking for a good, sweet hot sauce. Despite searching the shelves at the grocery store I think I am outta luck. Granted, most of my shopping is based on the pictures on the box or bottle here in Lisbon, but nothing looked right. No spicy, garlicky sauce to toss my wings in. No ranch or blue cheese to dip my spicy wings in. I guess I am on my own! This is really a DIY meal. I don’t care, it was so worth it, I loved every bite and am seriously considering popping another batch of cauliflower into the oven while I type this up just so I can have them all over again…

The best part is, I don’t have to feel even a little guilty, this dish is totally lightened up but still tastes amazing and I get my hot wing fix. Cauliflower is a powerful cruciferous veggie, it is super low in calories while being a good source of folate, potassium, vitamin C and it contains fiber and magnesium. The particular odor that cauliflower, and other cruciferous veggies like broccoli, have is from the glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are phytochemicals that studies have shown help prevent colon and rectal cancers and protect your DNA from damage. Boiling can leech those wonderful phytochemicals out, so avoid boiling your broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts (it also makes them taste super sulfury- don’t do it!!). Instead, stick with methods like baking, stir-frying or steaming.

Cauliflower Wings
1/2 Large Cauliflower Head
30g Blue Cheese Crumbles (about 1 oz)
1/4 cup Yogurt
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
Pepper to taste
3/4 cup Hot Sauce (whatever your favorite flavor is! Or, try the recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350F.
Cut the cauliflower into slightly larger than bite sized pieces. Try to get them as even as possible, this is easier said than done since cauliflower has a tendency to just kinda crumble…

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the cauliflower out on the baking tray and bake for 20 minutes. Turn the heat up to 400 and bake for an additional 10 minutes, just until the edges are beginning to crisp, but be careful to not let it burn! Meanwhile, mix the blue cheese crumbles, garlic powder and yogurt. Smash up the blue cheese crumbles with your fork/spoon to get the blue cheese flavor to mix throughout the yogurt.

Toss the hot cauliflower in sauce, then return to the oven for 5-7 minutes to get the saucy flavor all baked in. Serve with plenty of blue cheese sauce and napkins!

Honey Garlic Hot Sauce
Yields ~ 1 cup
1/2 cup Tomato Paste
1/4 cup Vinegar (van be any kind, try apple cider, balsamic or even plain white vinegar)
2 Tbsp Hot Chili Powder
2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
2 cloves Garlic, minced
2 Tbsp Lime Juice
1/4 cup Honey
2 Tbsp Water, if needed to thin sauce out

Combine all ingredients, whisk well. Can be kept for up to a week in the fridge.

---