A Healthy Start

Turn the page to a new year and healthier food choices.  Ever Ready will explore new recipes this month that are on the lighter side with less calories but still tasty.  Several of the recipes will be from this stellar cookbook, "The Skinnytaste Cookbook" by Gina Homolka. She is a food author and creator of the food blog skinnytaste.com 

Cauliflower is one of the most undervalued and misunderstood vegetables. 

Did you know it's related to kale and part of the Brassica genus family, which means it’s related to brussels sprouts and broccoli? While it can be found year-round, it peaks in the fall and spring. When choosing cauliflower, look for heads that are heavy for their size with creamy white florets.

Basically, by eating cauliflower mash instead of potatoes, you save about 53 calories and 13 grams of carbs, per half cup. Forget about oranges; reach for cauliflower when flu season hits. This vegetable is loaded with vitamins. 1 cup contains about 75% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Several cauliflower recipes will be posted in the upcoming days. 

Smoky Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Bites

Cook's Notes: Some might say cauliflower is a bland vegetable. But then maybe they haven't tried Smoky Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower.  It's a savory side dish or an appetizer with plenty of flavor but light on the calories. Roasting the cauliflower adds deep flavor and an irresistible crunch. Serve with your favorite low calorie dipping sauce if desired. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 
• 1/4 teaspoon each cumin and garlic powder 
• Optional 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablesp0ons olive oil
• 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• In a small bowl whisk together all the spices and set aside.
• Prepare a baking sheet with foil and spray with a non stick spray. 
• Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and break head into small florets. 
• In a large bowl mix florets with olive oil and mix in spices making sure the florets are well coated. Mix in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Spread out on baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt, cracked pepper and rest of Parmesan cheese. 
  
• Roast the cauliflower 35 minutes then check for doneness. The florets should be al dente not mushy. Turn florets once during roasting time.   

Another meal alternative Roasted Cauliflower and Black Beans Taco

Ingredients and Directions:

Follow all the steps above to make Smoky Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Bites. Then chop roasted cauliflower into smaller pieces. Add 1 can drained and rinsed black beans, 2 cups cabbage slaw and sliced radishes. Warm  the mixture in the microwave. In a medium hot dry skillet warm  4 corn tortillas.  Divide mixture equally among tortillas and top with low fat Mexican Four Cheeses.

Enjoy all your favorite toppings, tomato, avocados, salsa lime wedges, pepitas, chopped fresh cilantro.       

UP NEXT Cauliflower Rice