SPICY CRISPY KUNG PAO CAULIFLOWER

SPICY CRISPY KUNG PAO CAULIFLOWER image

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

1/4 cup+1 tbsp tablespoon Corn starch
1/4 cup+ 2 tbsp tablespoons Bread crumbs
1/4 cup+1 tbsp tablespoons Water
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons Soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoons Toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon Oil
1 head Cauliflower
1 teaspoon Oil
10 pieces Chinese red chiles
1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn
3 tablespoons Chopped peanuts
5 cloves Garlic minced
1 slice Ginger minced
3 stalks Scallions
2 1/2 tablespoons Soy sauce
2 tablespoons Rice vinegar
1 teaspoon Chinese rice wine
1 tablespoon Sugar
1/4 cup+2 tablespoons Water

Steps:

1. Chop up the cauliflower and keep aside. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Mix the cornstarch breadcrumbs, and the rest of the ingredients to make a batter. Let the batter sit for 10 seconds to thicken if it isn't thick. The cornstarch continues to thicken the batter, so as soon as it is a good not too watery consistency, start dipping the cauliflower in the batter, tap to drop excess and place on parchment lined baking sheet. If the batter thickens too much while working, add a tsp or more water and mix in and continue.
2. Bake for 30 minutes or longer until the florets are cooked through. Check with a toothpick/knife
3. Meanwhile make the sauce. Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the red chilies and peppercorns and cook until the red chilies are fragrant, but not overly brown, or someone starts sneezing. (For more heat, break some of the chilies into half and add to the skillet.
4. Add the nuts and mix for a few seconds. Add the ginger, garlic, reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook until the garlic is golden. 4 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
5. Add in the scallions, and 2 to 3 tbsp finely chopped green peppers or other veggies if using and mix in. Increase heat to medium. Cook for a minute.
6. Mix the sauce ingredients in a bowl and add to the skillet. Continue to cook until the sauce comes to a boil and thickens slightly. 2 mins. Carefully taste and adjust salt, sweet and spice.
7. Arrange the baked cauliflower in a shallow bowl in one layer. When ready to serve, Drizzle the sauce over each floret. Serve
8. To store, store the baked cauliflower and sauce separately. Heat the sauce, pour over the florets. To serve with rice/cooked grains, double the sauce mix and bring to a boil to thicken, toss in the cauliflower and serve immediately over rice.