Crispy Cauliflower Kung Pao | One for the veggies or those looking for a meat free dinner! Crispy cauliflower is the perfect vessel for this sweet, sticky and spicy sauce 🌶
Serves: 4
Time: 50 mins
1 large head of cauliflower
350g brown basmati
2 egg whites
2 tbsp plain flour
4 tbsp cornflour
1 tbsp 1 tsp sesame oil
5 small red chillies, pierced with a sharp knife
6 spring onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal, plus extra to serve
1 thumb sized piece ginger, finely julienned
6 cloves garlic, finely sliced
75g roasted peanuts, plus extra to serve
50ml soy sauce
150ml chicken stock
1 tsp sugar
Sea salt
Sit your cauliflower on a chopping board, slice off the stalk and pull off the outer leaves. Separate the cauliflower into florets, keeping them all a similar size.
Wash the basmati in a sieve under a cold tap for a few minutes to remove the starch. Place in a pan with a pinch of salt. Cover with 700ml water and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and cook until the water has evaporated then cover with a tea towel to keep warm. Alternatively cook, using the same quantities, in a rice cooker.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg whites, 2 tablespoons of the cornflour, the plain flour, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and a pinch of salt. Add the cauliflower florets and toss until completely coated.
Place the florets into your airfryer at 180°C/350°F for 15 minutes. You may need to do this in batches.
Heat the remaining sesame oil over a high heat in a wok and fry the chillies until blackened before adding the garlic, spring onions, ginger and peanuts. Stir fry until aromatic and the garlic and ginger are lightly browned.
Add the remaining cornflour, stir then add the soy sauce and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and allow to thicken slightly then stir through the sugar.
Stir the cauliflower through the sauce to serve.
Serve the cauliflower with the rice and some extra sliced spring onions and peanuts.