Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower

It’s starting to seem like every other week I hear of someone going vegan or vegetarian. It’s usually for a variety of reasons and they’re always solid and justifiable, especially because what you put in your body should be your own conscious choice, and it’s honestly had me think about it a few times too.

I’m an animal lover and I know that not eating meat is good for the environment and my body, but I haven’t yet reached the point where I’m ready to give it up completely. However, I have become more aware about how much meat I’m consuming and I’ve brought that amount down A LOT. This has been mostly due to my ability to control exactly what I’m eating during the week by meal prepping most of my breakfasts, lunches and dinners. It is sometimes a challenge but it definitely helps me be more creative about putting together my dishes and has encouraged me to try making different foods.

That’s how this recipe came into being. I had been craving wings – like the greasy kind covered in buffalo sauce that you dip in ranch at a sports bar – but wasn’t in the mood to deal with raw meat. The second-best thing that I could make from ingredients I already had were this delicious Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower and the BBQ and Spicy Cauliflower that I made a few days before. By taking the chicken (and ranch) out of the picture, I not only saved myself from eating meat but also the seriously fattening and high-in-calorie ingredients that my body loved the taste of, but certainly not the consequences.

While I was making this recipe I posted stories to my Instagram, showing you step-by-step how I did it – and got some awesome feedback! Follow along to see more posts like that, I have so much fun doing them and am SO glad they’re helpful. x

By the way, if you’re digging this bowl it’s even more awesome than you think! It’s actually a to-go lunch container (it comes with a plastic lid!), it’s ceramic and microwave and dishwasher safe. Basically it’s one of the most-used items in my cabinet! I had become so sick of bring my lunch to work in plastic containers and heating them up in the microwave (which is SO bad for you) and this container solved that problem in an instant. I couldn’t find this exact pattern online (I got it in the home section of T.J. Maxx!)  but I’m linking to some similar ones here, they’re cream colored and have flamingos painted on them and I am SO tempted to buy them for myself.

Now let’s get cooking! Keep scrolling to see how to make these Balsamic Cauliflower Wings for yourself or try these BBQ and Spicy Variations!

Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower 

Prep Time: 10 Minutes        Cook Time: 45 Minutes        Total Time: 55 Minutes

Let’s Get Started:

1 head of cauliflower
1/4 c all-purpose flour (can be substituted for a gluten-free flour)
1/2 c water
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper, to taste

Let’s Get Cooking:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Rinse, dry and break apart cauliflower head into smaller pieces. Add flour to a small bowl. Slowly mix in water until it creates a pancake batter-like consistency. Coat cauliflower pieces in the mixture, then place them on a parchment paper covered pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through. When your timer has ten minutes to go, drizzle desired amount of balsamic on the cauliflower and continue to bake. Let sit for ten minutes or until cooled, and enjoy!

Let’s Get Creative:

I like to make this dish as an appetizer, side dish or even a meat substitute for rice bowls! All you need is 1/2 c brown rice and a variety of other veggies and you can make yourself a delicious lunch or dinner.

Enjoy & Stay Classy! xx