This Cauliflower Parmigiana is loaded with all the top hits: flavor, crispiness, acidity, creaminess, and richness.
Light Brine: Easy Marinara: 3 part Breading for Cauliflower ½ cup Liquid Vegan Mozzarella Cauliflower Marinara Sauce Breading Using a large cast iron skillet or rectangular casserole dish ladle 1 cup of sauce into the bottom of the pan arrange your cauliflower as you see fit then ladle an additional 1-2 cups of marinara over the cauliflower. Pour liquid mozzarella over the cauliflower, It's fine if it drips over the sides, bake for 15 minutes at 400° in a preheated oven on the middle rack. Enjoy! Cauliflower Parmigiana
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Ingredients
1 medium to large Cauliflower crown
6 cups room temperature water
2 Tbsp sea salt
2 crushed garlic cloves
1- 1lb 12oz can whole Italian tomatoes
¼ cup Virgin olive oil
8 cloves garlic slice or chopped
½ cup filtered water
1 Calabrian chili chopped
2 tsp salt
1 tsp fresh cracked black peppercorn
Fresh Basil 6-9 leaves depending on size
Container #1.
½ cup AP Flour
Container #2.
½ cup Plant milk
½ cup Just Egg
¼ cup water
Container #3.
1¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
⅓ cup vegan parmesan
1 tsp fresh parsley
¼ tsp chili flakes
1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
The brine does 2 things for the cauliflower. It not only seasons it but also allow for the breading to adhere completely without falling off. This is definitely something you should do way ahead of time i suggest 2-3 hrs.
Mix ingredients for brine together till salt dissolves. Cut cauliflower into 1 inch thick steaks and gently add cauliflower to the brine. Allow the brine to work its magic on the cauliflower at room temperature for the time suggested above.
Into a sauce pot add olive oil garlic and Calabrian chile, saute just until garlic becomes fragrant. Crush tomatoes with your hands or whisk and add them to the pot along with salt cracked pepper have a cup of water and basil simmer on medium low for 45 minutes while staring occasionally. Remove from heat and begin breading your cauliflower.
Preheat oven to 400° F
Coat cauliflower with flour, then "egg" wash and lastly the breadcrumbs mixture. You can certainly air fry the breaded cauliflower if you choose not to pan fry. Shallow pan fry cauliflower on medium heat at 345° F 3-4 minutes per side. Remove cauliflower from pan and allow the excess oil to drain onto a paper towel or cooling rack.
After your 15 minutes is up crank on your broiler to high and broil for an additional 3 minutes to add a little browning to the liquid mozzarella...keep an eye on it, it doesn't take that long for the liquid mozzarella to brown.
Remove cauliflower parmigiana from the oven arnish with freshly chopped parsley and fresh basil over the top.
Serve on top pasta or with a side salad.
Of all my recipes this has to truly be one of my all time favorites, and I truly hope you enjoy it!
