Cauliflower Nuggets, Potato Wedges, and Arugula Salad: A Kid's Meal for Adults

Cauliflower nuggets have been a craze among vegans and I will admit, they are a tasty. However, trying to veganize everything that you ate as a carnivore will not be satisfying because cauliflower and chicken are not the same so you end up playing a mental game of whether the plant-based item stands up to the animal product. Also, let's give cauliflower the credit it deserves with its wide range of versatility and textures without setting it to a comparison to one of the world's favorite proteins. 

Honey-Mustard Cauliflower Nuggets with Spiced Fries and an Arugula-Kale Salad

Nuggets:

• Cauliflower
• Chickpea Flour
• Water
• Harissa
• Turmeric
• Black Pepper
• Himalyean Sea Salt
• Bread Crumbs

1. Clean and cut the cauliflower florets into chunks.
2. Prepare the batter by mixing together the chickpea flour, water, and spices. 
3. Dip the cauliflower florets into the batter, shake off any extra batter, roll each of the batter-covered florets in bread crumbs and then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake the nuggets at 375 for 25 minutes, turning and rotating them about half way through the process.

Honey Mustard Sauce:

• Honey
• Mustard
• Coconut oil

1. Combine honey, coconut oil, and mustard to desired taste.
2. Once the nuggets are done baking, coat them in this sauce.

Spiced Fries:

• Potato
• Sea Salt
• Coconut Oil
• Espices de Pollo

1. Clean potatoes and cut them into wedges.
2. In a bowl, mix the wedges with liquid coconut oil and then sprinkle on the spices.
3. Place on a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 375, rotating midway until they have a crispy edge.

Salad:

• Arugula
• Kale, ripped into pieces
• Red pepper, diced
• Tomato, diced

1. In a bowl, mix all of the salad ingredients and coat with the lemon-pepper dressing (below).

Lemon-Pepper Dressing:

• Lemon, zest and juice
• Garlic, grated
• Salt and Pepper (extra pepper for kicks)
• Honey/Agave
• Olive Oil

1. To a bowl add all of the above ingredients and whisk until it is well combined.

This plate is quite simple to make. Start with the nuggets and potatoes and while they are baking in the oven, you can prepare the honey-mustard sauce, salad, and salad dressing. In less time than you could drive to McD's and get back home, you can have a healthy, homemade adult style-kid's meals ready for dinner!

I first learned how to prepare these nuggets from Hot For Food's Cauliflower Wing Challenge. Check out their video to get some more ideas for your new favorite use of cauliflower. I made the spicy cauliflower wings for a Super Bowl party two years ago and they were a hit. So, give cauliflower another try....it's grown up from being a decoration on the crudite plate. 

Have you tried cauliflower nugget? What do you think?