Happy New Year! They say 2020 is supposed to be a year of transformation. Transformation can mean different things to different people, and whatever it is for you - personal, professional, financial or spiritual - I wish you all the best on this year's journey.
As i was thinking of transformation, it occurred to me that it would be good to start this year with this recipe, as it truly transforms humble, mildly-flavored, earthy cauliflower into something extraordinary.
Get the recipe here.
I adapted this recipe from the book "Vegan for Everybody" by America's Test Kitchen. If you are not familiar with them, they are the publisher behind Cook's Illustrated, which I absolutely love and have been a fan of for years. Even though not all the recipes there are necessarily clean (meaning gluten-free, refined sugar free and with minimal amounts of processed foods), this one really got my attention.
The bold flavors of saffron, smoked paprika, and sherry vinegar enliven this elegant tapas-style appetizer of creamy chickpeas and earthy cauliflower marinated in a boldly flavored dressing. Along with the saffron, smoked paprika gave the marinade a bright brick-red hue, and a sprig of rosemary provided earthy, aromatic flavors. Thin slices of lemon lent a bright citrus note and made for a pretty presentation. And the best part is - it only takes a few minutes to make, the rest of the time it is just marinating in the fridge.
I've talked about the health benefits of cauliflower a lot in the past, so I won't mention them again in this blog. What I didn't know was that saffron in itself possesses some impressive health benefits. It is a powerful antioxidant, it may improve mood and treat depressive symptoms, may have cancer-fighting properties, reduce PMS symptoms, act as an aphrodisiac, reduce appetite and aid weight loss. (To learn more about health benefits of saffron check out this article "11 Impressive Health Benefits of Saffron").
Even though it is quite expensive (saffron is considered the most expensive spice in the world), a little goes a long way and it is very easy to add it to your diet. It is great in rice dishes, sauces or marinades, like the one in this recipe.
So I strongly encourage you to give it a try, you'll be glad you did.
Get the recipe here.
Happy cooking and Happy New Year!
Julia