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General Tso’s Cauliflower: Comforting Vegetarian Takeout

General Tso's Cauliflower
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A delicious vegetarian take on the classic General Tso’s chicken, this cauliflower dish offers a sweet and savory glaze with a satisfying crunch. It’s a perfect homemade swap for your favorite takeout treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup water
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (cornstarch slurry)
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Green onions, sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in water until a smooth batter forms.
  2. Add cauliflower florets to the batter and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Carefully add battered cauliflower in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes per batch, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  5. In a clean wok or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, ketchup, hoisin sauce, and sriracha.
  7. Pour the sauce mixture into the wok with the garlic and ginger. Bring to a simmer.
  8. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
  9. Add the fried cauliflower to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

  • For extra crispy cauliflower, you can double-fry it. Fry once until lightly golden, then remove and let cool slightly before frying again until deep golden brown.
  • Adjust the sriracha to your preferred level of spice.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers to the stir-fry.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/generals-tsos-cauliflower-recipe/