Skip to main content

Crispy cauliflower katsu recipe


Light and delicate curry sauce, fluffy rice, lime-pickled chillies

Tip: for that 1980s retro feel, mould the rice in small bowls like I’ve done here – it’s pointless, but fun!

Prep 30 min
Cook 1 hr 15 min
Serves 6

Energy 637kcal; fat 9.2g; sat fat 2g; protein 23.6g; carbs 120g; sugars 16g; salt 1.5g; fibre 10.4g

2 heads cauliflower (800g each)
3 fresh mixed-colour chillies
Salt and black pepper
3 limes
150g plain flour
3 large free-range eggs
200g fine breadcrumbs
1 onion
4 garlic cloves
5cm piece ginger
1 carrot
1 bunch fresh coriander (30g), leaves and stalks separated
Olive oil
1 heaped tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground turmeric
3 tsp mango chutney
450g basmati rice

Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan)/350F/gas 4. Cut six chunky cauliflower slices, straight through the stalks, around 2.5cm thick (use up the leftover stalks by making my simple pickle). Season the cauliflower slices all over with sea salt and leave aside (this will draw out the natural moisture). Meanwhile, finely slice the chillies and place them in a bowl with a pinch of salt. Finely grate over the zest of two limes, then squeeze over the juice and leave to lightly pickle.

Put 100g of the flour into one bowl, beat the eggs in another, and tip the breadcrumbs into a third. Coat the cauliflower slices in the flour, dunk in the beaten egg, then dip, press and coat in the breadcrumbs. Place on an oiled baking tray and push down to compact. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

Meanwhile, peel the onion, garlic, ginger and carrot, then finely chop with the coriander stalks, reserving the leaves. Fry in a large pan on a medium heat with a tablespoon of oil and the spices for 15 minutes, stirring regularly. Stir in 50g of flour and the mango chutney, followed by a litre of boiling water. Whisk together, then simmer for 15 minutes, or to your preferred consistency, stirring occasionally. Taste and season to perfection with salt and black pepper. Cook the rice according to the packet instructions, then drain. Serve the rice and sauce with the crispy cauliflower, chilli pickle, lime wedges and reserved coriander leaves.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Ping Coombes’s recipe for quick nyonya fried rice

Fried rice has been my go-to fast food at home since my childhood. My mum makes fried rice when she has limited time and she makes this recipe a lot. It is quick, nutritious and utterly satisfying. You can eat it hot off the wok, but I think it tastes better at room temperature; making it a perfect dish to cook in advance. Once you have mastered the art of frying rice, you can put pretty much any ingredients in it. This recipe uses prawns and add the dried shrimps, if you can find them, for extra umami. Serves: 2 Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes 200g Jasmine rice, cooked 1 tbsp dried shrimps (optional) 2 tsp oil 1 egg, lightly beaten ½ onion, sliced 2 garlic cloves, chopped 100g raw prawns, shelled 6 chestnut mushrooms, diced ½ tbsp oyster sauce 1 tsp fish sauce ½ tsp dark soy sauce Pinch of white pepper Crispy shallots, to serve 1 spring onion, sliced 1 red chilli, sliced Chilli oil (optional) Rehydrate the dried shrimps in boiling water for 5 ...

Low-Carb Recipes That Aren’t Just Eggs and Bacon

When people think of low-carb diets, eggs and bacon often steal the spotlight — and for good reason. They're simple, satisfying, and packed with protein. But if your low-carb meals always look like this breakfast cliché, you might be missing out on an entire world of delicious, creative, and nutritious options. Low-carb eating doesn't have to be boring or repetitive. Whether you're new to low-carb or just tired of the same old plate, here are some fresh ideas that will keep your meals exciting — without piling on the carbs. 1. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes Swap traditional pasta for spiralized zucchini noodles — they're light, low in carbs, and soak up flavor like a champ. Toss with homemade basil pesto, a handful of roasted cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of parmesan for a bright, fresh meal. Add grilled chicken or shrimp for protein if you like. 2. Cauliflower Fried Rice Cauliflower rice is the perfect low-carb substitute for the classic fried ri...

Omar Allibhoy’s recipe for cauliflower with garlic, vinegar and capers

This cauliflower dish is one I often cook at home: it is simple, light, fresh and full of flavour – the Spanish version of a Chinese stir-fry. My cooking is inspired by growing up in Spain; I learned how to make this dish at my aunt’s house in Madrid. I’m looking at putting it on the spring menu in my restaurants; with better weather hopefully arriving soon (fingers crossed!) our customers will be looking for lighter dishes. I like it on its own, but you can serve it with a pan-fried fillet of cod or salmon for a more complete meal. (Serves 4 as a tapa) 1 large cauliflower, broken into florets, leaves reserved Pinch of salt 200ml milk Extra-virgin olive oil, for frying 5 garlic cloves, sliced 50g/5 tbsp drained capers 1 tsp cumin seeds ½ tsp sweet smoked paprika 50ml/3½ tbsp sherry or other white vinegar Place the cauliflower florets in a large pan, cover them with water, then add the salt and the milk (this will make the cauliflower whiter and prevent odours). Cook over a high hea...