Popcorn Cauliflower – Kids Love It!

 
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Are you wearing your green?  How about eating something green?  We celebrated last night by making cauliflower popcorn with green cauliflower from our Bountiful Basket.  I always love roasting our green cauliflower, but this time I was inspired by my RD friend  Danielle Omar’s photo on Facebook of popcorn cauliflower.
 
It’s basically the same thing, just in smaller pieces.  But calling it popcorn made the kids want to check it out.  And check it out, they did.  They devoured the bowl faster than if it was real popcorn.  I couldn’t believe it!  This was after dinner and a strawberry popsicle dessert.  I tweeted last night about the kids eating it up, and I got a huge response asking for the recipe.  Here it is!
 
Popcorn Cauliflower
 
Ingredients:
-1 head cauliflower (any color)
-1 T. olive oil
-sprinkle of salt
-1 T. nutritional yeast (or parmesan cheese)
-any other seasonings that you like on popcorn
 
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Wash, dry and chop up cauliflower into small, popcorn-sized pieces.
 
 
2. Spread out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and toss with olive oil and salt.
 
 
3. Roast at 425 for 25 minutes.
 
4. Remove from oven and toss with nutritional yeast or any popcorn-toppings that you like.
 
 
Serve!
 
 
“Mommy, I want to try the popcorn!”
 
“Wow, that’s really good popcorn!”
 
“This is good, should we save some for you, Mom?”
 
“Maybe if we get up onto the chair, we can eat it faster.”
 
“Mmm, mmm, mmm. Good, good good.”
My kids are pretty slow eaters, so for them to gobble this up so quickly was a surprise!  We will definitely be making cauliflower popcorn again soon.
  • Karen March 17, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    What a great idea! I'm trying to get my hubby to like cauliflower…this might be a good way to go!!

  • Danielle Omar March 17, 2011 at 11:50 pm

    Love it! Was wondering why yours was green! Haven't tried the broccoli-cauliflower yet. I will experiment next with the nutritional yeast…also going to try smoked paprika for a BBQ taste. Gotta love a healthy snack! 😉

  • EA-The Spicy RD March 17, 2011 at 11:52 pm

    My kids are not fond of cauliflower, but your description of your kids DEVOURING it, makes me really want to try it 🙂 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

  • Tracy Simmons March 18, 2011 at 2:37 am

    Roasted cauliflower is one of my favourite things. I once devoured and entire tray all by myself 🙂

  • Jessica & Tracie March 18, 2011 at 2:51 am

    Wait! Who is that sweet little girl? Look how BIG Leila is getting!! She is SOOO cute!!

    We always roast our cauliflower, it's the only way I can get the girls to eat it! Never thought of adding parmesan that sounds yummy.

    Where do you get nutritional yeast? Does it have a taste? Or can I sneak it in?

  • Jessica & Tracie March 18, 2011 at 2:51 am

    Wait! Who is that sweet little girl? Look how BIG Leila is getting!! She is SOOO cute!!

    We always roast our cauliflower, it's the only way I can get the girls to eat it! Never thought of adding parmesan that sounds yummy.

    Where do you get nutritional yeast? Does it have a taste? Or can I sneak it in?

  • Alysa March 18, 2011 at 3:27 am

    Karen, my husband thought he HATED cauliflower, but he loves it roasted!

  • Alysa March 18, 2011 at 3:27 am

    Danielle, thanks for the great idea! Seems to be a hit!

  • Alysa March 18, 2011 at 3:28 am

    EA, it's worth a shot!!

  • Alysa March 18, 2011 at 3:28 am

    Jess, you can find nutritional yeast at Sunflower Market in the bulk bin (that's where I get it in Tucson).

  • De Su Mama March 18, 2011 at 5:42 pm

    Another great tip! Thank you! And those babies are just too darn cute!

    I linked you in my post for today. I hope that's ok!?!

  • Martha March 24, 2011 at 5:04 am

    These pictures of your adorable kids gobbling roasted cauliflower warms my heart! I love roasted cauliflower. In fact we just had it for dinner tonight with capers and lemon juice. Yum.

  • Nisha @ Healthy Mom's Kitchen July 17, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    I sure hope my kids love this as much as yours!!

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