Make Fried Cauliflower...Spanish Style

By
Lisa & Tony Sierra
Lisa & Tony Sierra
Lisa and Tony Sierra are freelance writers and Spanish food experts who lead culinary tours of the country.
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Updated on 06/2/22
Cauliflower

Rita Maas / The Image Bank / Getty Images

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
225 Calories
21g Fat
6g Carbs
6g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 225
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Cholesterol 93mg 31%
Sodium 202mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 62mg 310%
Calcium 37mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 234mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Cauliflower is a winter vegetable that is easy to prepare as a light tapa or side dish. Called coliflor in Spanish, this vegetable is commonly available in supermarkets and produce markets throughout the world. Spaniards like to fry all sorts of food, and cauliflower is no exception.

Although some cooks prefer to prepare a thick breading or crust, this recipe makes a much lighter cauliflower. No heavy breading that is dripping in oil...just a quick dip in beaten egg and (optionally) a dusting of flour before popping the cauliflower into the frying pan to brown on all sides. To remove any excess oil, drain the cauliflower on a paper towel. Then, serve with garlicky aioli sauce, or another Spanish sauce for dipping. It is a delicious way to get in on all the health benefits of cauliflower while experimenting with Spanish cuisine.

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1​ bottle olive oil, for frying

  • Salt, to taste

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, optional

  • 1 1/2 cups aioli sauce, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Rinse cauliflower head under cold water to remove dirt. Cut the cauliflower florets from the center, leaving short stalks. Discard the heart at the center.

  3. Pour an inch of water into a large pan or pot and place a steamer inserts into the bottom. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cover, steaming the florets for about 10 minutes. They should be firm, not soft or soggy. Remove from pan and drain. Allow it to cool.

  4. Beat the eggs in a small mixing bowl. Pour a half-inch or so of oil into a large frying pan and heat on medium. Test if the oil is hot enough to fry by adding a small cube of bread to oil. If it browns in 1 minute, oil is the right temperature (355 F).

  5. Dip the florets into the beaten egg and immediately place in hot oil. Brown florets on all sides. Remove florets and drain on paper towels. Serve with aioli or other sauce for dipping.

  6. Enjoy!

Tips

Flour option: If using flour, first dip florets in beaten egg and then into the flour before frying.

Alternate Version: Some cooks like to sprinkle a teaspoon of sweet Spanish paprika into the egg before beating, which will give the cauliflower a reddish color when it is later fired.