General tso’s cauliflower has become one of my go to healthy recipes since switching to a plant based diet last year. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure if my family would enjoy it. My husband is not a fan of cauliflower and our children is fickle when it comes to eating their veggies.
I’ve always enjoyed general tso’s chicken and general tso’s shrimp growing up. So, I decided to to make a vegetable version of my favorite recipe. It’s takes about twenty minutes to prepare the ingredients and about 40 minutes to bake.
General Tso’s Cauliflower Recipe
What You’ll Need:
1 Large cauliflower head (or purchase florets)
1 Tbsp baking soda
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsps low-sodium soy sauce
3 Tbsps raw cane sugar
2 Tbsps gluten free flour
1 ½ cup low sodium vegetable broth
Pinch of black pepper
2 green onions (scallions), cut in small pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbsp garlic powder)
2 Tbsps finely grated fresh ginger
1 cup of almond milk
1 cup gluten free flour
1 tsp olive oil
Directions:
Cut the cauliflower head into small pieces. If you have a sensitive tummy like I do, soaking the florets in water with 1 tbsp of baking soda and a little apple cider vinegar for a few minutes will help you avoid feeling gassy.
- Strain the cauliflower and pat dry
- Place cauliflower in a separate bowl with almond milk
- Remove and coat florets with flour, and place back into the almond milk
- Then add each piece with panko bread crumbs.
- Place the coated cauliflower florets on parchment paper and repeat.
- Bake at 400 for about 40 minutes or until each side of the cauliflower is brown.
General Tso’s Cauliflower sauce
- Mix the hoisin sauce, low sodium soy sauce, remaining apple cider vinegar, 2 Tbsps flour, low sodium vegetable broth, black pepper and cane sugar in a bowl.
- Add olive oil into a frying pan and heat for a minute over medium heat.
- Add some of the green onions, garlic, and ginger. Saute for about a couple of minutes. (If using garlic powder, combine with the hoisin mixture).
- Add the hoisin sauce mixture to the pan and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Our picky eaters enjoy dipper the baked cauliflower into the general tso’s sauce.
But you can combine cauliflower with the hoisin sauce, top with remaining scallions, and pair with your favorite side dish.