Cauliflower Tacos from The Blissful Basil Cookbook
Delicious, plant-based Cauliflower Tacos from The Blissful Basil Cookbook by Ashley Melillo. Reprinted with permission.
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour
Servings 12Tacos
Ingredients
Crispy Cauliflower
1cupold-fashioned rolled oats
2tablespoonschopped fresh cilantro
2teaspoonschili powder
1teaspoonfine-grain sea salt
1teaspoonsmoked paprika
1/2teaspoonground cumin
1/4teaspoongarlic powder
1/4teaspoonground turmericoptional
1/8teaspooncayenne pepper
1 1/4cupsunsweetened almond milk
3/4cupbrown rice flour
1tablespoonfresh lime juice
1small or 1/2 large head cauliflowercut into bite-size florets
Tangy Slaw
2cupsthinly sliced purple cabbage
1/4cupfresh lime juice
1tablespoonapple cider vinegar
1/2tablespoonpure maple syrupor other liquid sweetener
1/4teaspoonfine-grain sea salt
Avocado Crema
1ripe avocadohalved, pitted, and peeled
1/4cupfresh cilantrostemmed
2tablespoonsfresh lime juice
1/4teaspoonfine-grain sea salt
Tacos
12small soft corn tortillas
Fresh cilantrostemmed
2small limescut into wedges
Instructions
For the Crispy Cauliflower
Preheat the oven to 400 ̊F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
Add the rolled oats to a food processor. Pulse 75–80 times, or until a coarse meal forms. The texture should be similar to panko bread crumbs. Transfer to a large, shallow bowl, and whisk in the cilantro, chili powder, sea salt, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, turmeric (if using), and cayenne pepper.
In another large, shallow bowl, whisk together the almond milk, brown rice flour, and lime juice until smooth.
From left to right, line up the cauliflower florets, almond milk batter, oat crumbs, and baking tray. Place a handful of cauliflower florets into the almond milk batter, toss to coat, shake off excess batter, and transfer to the oat and spice mixture. Toss to coat and transfer to the lined baking tray. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until crisp and light golden, tossing halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
For the Tangy Slaw
While the cauliflower is baking, add the purple cabbage, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and sea salt to a medium nonreactive (i.e., nonmetallic) mixing bowl. Toss to coat and set aside, stirring occasionally.
For the Avocado Crema
Add the avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and sea salt to a food processor. Process for 3–4 minutes, or until smooth. The texture should resemble mayonnaise.
To Assemble
Heat the tortillas, one at a time, in a small skillet over medium heat for 20–30 seconds per side. Fill each with 3–4 pieces of the cauliflower, a small handful of cabbage slaw, and a dollop of crema.
Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges to spritz the tacos.
Refrigerate leftovers in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days. The Avocado Crema is best when fresh.
Notes
I served my tacos with fresh limes and jalapeños for extra spice!