Ep 6. Cauliflower's Star Power

In Struggle Meals season 1, episode 6 entitled "Cauliflower's Star Power," viewers are in for a treat as the host, Frankie Celenza, demonstrates how to turn an often-overlooked vegetable into a tasty and versatile ingredient that is affordable and easy to cook with.

Frankie begins by sharing some fascinating trivia about cauliflower, including that it is part of the cruciferous family of vegetables that also includes broccoli, kale, and cabbage. He then highlights how versatile cauliflower is and how it can be used to make everything from rice to pizza crust.

The episode starts with a trip to the grocery store where Frankie shares some expert tips for saving money when shopping for cauliflower. He advises viewers to buy the whole cauliflower instead of pre-cut cauliflower, which tends to be more expensive. He also recommends looking for discounted produce that may be approaching its sell-by date.

Once back in the kitchen, Frankie gets to work preparing several delicious dishes using cauliflower as the star ingredient. First up is a cauliflower steak with tuscan kale and sundried tomato salsa verde. Frankie shows viewers how to slice the cauliflower into thick steaks and then roast them in the oven to achieve a crispy, caramelized exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender interior. He tops the steaks with a zesty salsa verde made from sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, capers, and garlic, and serves them alongside sautéed kale.

Next, Frankie demonstrates how to make cauliflower rice, which is a low-carb and grain-free alternative to traditional rice. He shows viewers how to pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until they are roughly chopped into small rice-sized pieces. He then sautés the cauliflower in a skillet with garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt until it is tender and fragrant. This versatile "rice" can be used as a base for a variety of dishes, including stir-fries and Buddha bowls.

Frankie then turns his attention to pizza crust made with cauliflower, which he promises is just as delicious as the traditional wheat-flour crust but with fewer carbs. He starts by pulsing cauliflower in a food processor until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. He then cooks the cauliflower in the microwave until it is steamy and tender, squeezes out any excess moisture, and mixes it with mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and eggs to create a dough-like mixture. He spreads the mixture onto a baking sheet and bakes it in the oven until it is crispy and golden brown. He tops the crust with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and toppings of his choice, including pepperoni and olives.

In the final segment of the show, Frankie shows viewers how to make a comforting and filling cauliflower soup. He starts by sautéing onions and garlic in a large pot and then adding chopped cauliflower, chicken broth, and thyme. He lets the mixture simmer until the cauliflower is tender, and then purees it using a blender until it is smooth and velvety. He finishes the soup with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Overall, Struggle Meals season 1, episode 6 is a celebration of all things cauliflower. With its affordability, versatility, and health benefits, cauliflower is a great vegetable to have in your arsenal when cooking on a budget. Frankie shows viewers how to transform this humble vegetable into a variety of delicious and satisfying dishes that are sure to please even the most discerning palate.