Sunday, January 16, 2011

Cauliflower AND Sprouts

I recently purchased a head of cauliflower.  Grandma would fix it steamed with a little salt, pepper and butter as a side dish.  Over the years when my children were small, I, too, tried this same approach .. and it was a miserable failure .. in their eyes.  So off to 'google' for a family pleasing recipe.  The one I found had rave reviews about how kids liked it .. so this is what became of that beautiful head of cauliflower.

Oven Roasted Cauliflower (click link for the actual recipe) .. you toss it with olive oil (I used a bowl instead of a throw away plastic bag), sprinkle it with salt, pepper and fresh pressed garlic .. roast in a hot oven .. then sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese and parsley .. broil for a quick minute.  I tossed in a little cumin to spice it up.  The bowl was empty and the family was almost fighting about who would get the last serving.  Last night my daughter called to ask for the recipe.  It's so easy .. give it a try .. better make extra.

With our greens being limited to what's frozen (chard and spinach) .. or what we purchase, my sprouting jar is getting started up again today .. so we can have some enzyme and vitamin packed additions to our sandwiches and salads in just a few days.  Have your grown sprouts in a jar?  It's very easy .. you can use a standard quart mason jar with a  little mesh or screen placed under the outer band.  Rinse the seeds and drain .. tipping the jar to empty excess water .. do this several times a day .. and keep in a dark location.  Once the seeds start to sprout .. they really take off.  Rinse well and store in the refrigerator for several days.  I ordered these seeds (a mixture) on-line .. but I've seen them in the health food store.  (Detailed instructions here.)

This coming gardening year I am going to give my  hand at growing celery .. and overwinter it .. just imagine the tasty greens you can selectively harvest when the garden is sleeping.  How do you get your winter greens?