Hello, Young Padawan
Do not worry I see you, waving behind your screen like a cheerleader on drugs! I know, I know, last week’s recipe did the best for your taste and mood, and you want to start again this week with a new one… so you cross your fingers, legs and shaggy hair hoping to have some happy new ideas here to escape from the grey winter time.
By popular demand or almost, you are 8 to have harassed me shamefully on Instagram #kisses, we go back to the kitchen today, ready to do good to the body, mind and taste buds.
So, prepare your grocery list, get ready in the kitchen to have a culinary orgasm with just a few ingredients. No need youporn, pal, just the right ingredients…
Cauliflower
It is an excellent source of antioxidants, which protects our cells against free radicals and inflammation, particularly thanks to sulforaphane. It also contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and proteins. Cauliflower is also a source of vitamin C that stimulates the immune system and helps defend the body.
Cauliflower has a particularly high level in two groups of antioxidants that slow the growth of cancer cells: glucosinolates and isothiocyanates.
It is also rich in choline, an essential nutrient that many people are deficient. It plays a major role in maintaining the integrity of cell membranes, DNA synthesis and metabolic support. Choline is also involved in brain development and the production of neurotransmitters necessary for a healthy nervous system. Those who do not consume enough choline may have a higher risk of liver and heart disease, in addition to neurological disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Cauliflower, along with broccoli, is one of the best vegetable sources of this nutrient.
So instead of Sunday tulips, offer cauliflower to the people you love!
Hazelnut
The hazelnut is rich in vitamin E: a portion of 30 g brings 2 g, or 20% of the recommended daily contributions. This allows you to stay the least wrinkled of the neighborhood.
In addition to being rich in manganese, copper, phosphorus and potassium, the hazelnut also contains vitamins B9, B1, B6 and B5. It is also a source of iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium and protein (15g per 100g).
Miso
Miso is a salty condiment made from fermented soy paste. Its salty flavor raises the dishes and allows to replace the salt.
Miso contains all of the essential amino acids for the body, making it one of the best sources of protein. It is also rich in vitamins of group B, iron and zinc. It is therefore a great ally for vegetarians, vegans, women, and sportsmen in general.
Its fermentation reveals different enzymes that make it an accelerator of digestion, helps intestinal comfort and makes other foods it accompanies more digestible. Thus miso helps the regeneration of the intestinal flora, amplifies the absorption of good nutrients and prevents the formation of harmful microorganisms. The fermentation from which it is derived allows a high content of minerals, antioxidants and probiotic enzymes.
It would also be an excellent anti-cancer if consumed regularly in the long term.
Of course, there is miso and miso. I advise you an artisanal and especially unpasteurized one, to keep all its benefits. As the Asian proverb says: “Spend your pennies on the miso rather than on the doctor”.
Steamed cauliflower and roasted hazelnuts, brown gravy.
For 3 servings
1 beautiful cauliflower
1/3 cup of Piedmont hazelnuts
1/3 cup dried chickpeas
3 pieces of dried tomatoes
For the sauce:
½ onion of normal size (or a small one)
1 TBSP of margarine for cooking
1 TSP of vegetable broth powder (or ½ cube to crush with a fork)
1 TBSP of cornstarch
2 cup of water
1 TSP of raw miso (unpasteurized) + 1 TBSP of hot water but not boiling
2 pinches of nutmeg powder
Black pepper from Madagascar
The day before, soak the chickpeas in a large bowl of water (at least 6h).
In the basket of a steamer, place the chickpeas and cook them for 5 to 7 minutes depending on the chosen device. They must remain absolutely crisp, as al dente, because I remind you that if they are soft, they are too cooked and produces phytates. And to become a soft chickpea, believe me it’s a little sad.
Remove the chickpeas from the steamer and put the cauliflower florets instead. Cook them about 5 to 7 minutes (they must remain firm too, al dente, to preserve the vitamins). Set aside.
Roughly crush the hazelnuts with a cutting board and a large knife, then put them in a hot frying pan for 1 to 2 minutes in order to roast them a little. Set aside.
The “brown vegetable gravy” to accompany our cauliflowers:
In a small bowl, place the vegetable broth and melt it with a fork or a whisk, adding the water little by little to avoid lumps. Set the preparation aside.
Finely mince the onion and brown it in a saucepan with margarine over medium-high heat. When it is cooked and starts to color, add the cornstarch, stir vigorously for a few seconds and deglaze with the vegetable broth. Stir without stopping and cut the heat when the sauce begins to thicken.
Mix the miso with a fork and its hot water to dissolve it.
Out of the heat and when the boil has stopped, add the miso to the gravy and stir until it is homogeneous. Add pepper and nutmeg.
No salt in this recipe since vegetable broths are usually salty, just like miso.
PRESENTATION
Using a cutting board and a thin knife, finely slice the dried tomato lengthwise to obtain pretty thin tomato chopsticks for decoration.
In your most beautiful soup plate, arrange the cauliflower first, sprinkle with hazelnuts and chickpeas, then cover generously with gravy. Finish with some dried tomatoes sticks for decoration.
And here you are in sexy a cauliflower mode, you will impression your princess for a romantic dinner (or your prince, your nurse or your fireman … little rascal). You thought it impossible, but nothing is impossible so much that there is love and inspiration (no, miso does not contain alcohol yet, ed).
It only takes a few moments to cheer up and have good vitamins, and with the unsavory colleagues who sneeze in the face of the others, it’s best to make friends with fruits and vegetables !
Take good care of yourself, my little Padawan.
vitamin kisses 🍊
