Recipes for baby cauliflower dishes

Cauliflower is familiar to many families. Dishes from it are not only tasty and nutritious, they can even be called dietary.After all, this vegetable helps to improve the health indicators for both adults and kids.

Cauliflower is an annual plant, which means that the biological cycle of the culture has one year: the vegetable ripens, forms its inflorescences, and seeds appear on it. It is believed that edible inflorescences appear in approximately 95-118 days after the planting of this plant’s seeds into the soil.

Cauliflower "loves" warm climatic conditions. Breeders say that the vegetable grows best at temperatures from +15 to +20 degrees. This temperature "corridor" is also the most favorable for the formation of inflorescences, which are used in food.

It should be noted that the temperature of the outside air affects the taste of the vegetable. So, night frosts can contribute to the fact that the inflorescences lose their unique juiciness and become very bitter.

Extremely high temperatures lead to a “distortion” of the taste of the vegetable. In this case, the inflorescences become, as a rule, too fibrous and less fragrant. The characteristic taste of cauliflower changes. Usually from such inflorescences it is impossible to prepare culinary masterpieces, since they have completely different taste properties.

Humidity also affects good vegetable growth. Breeders say that the optimum humidity should be about 80%. When these conditions are met, cauliflower blossoms have a characteristic taste, and also contain many vitamins that are necessary for the good functioning of the human body.

To date, the exact birthplace of the wild variety of cauliflower is unknown. Light inflorescences familiar to us with fleshy dark green leaves are the result of the fruitful work of plant breeders. The specialists even developed a special variety of cauliflower, which can grow in northern countries. Vegetables of this variety “tolerate” night frosts rather well, without losing their beneficial properties.

Note that the period of formation of cauliflower inflorescences is quite long. So, the crop can be removed within 4-6 weeks. In white cabbage, for example, this time is much shorter. The unpretentiousness of cauliflower to the growing conditions contributed in many respects to the fact that the vegetable became truly loved by many residents of Russia, Belarus, North and South America, China and other countries.

Cauliflower is one of the few vegetables that can be included in the diet of all family members. The first "acquaintance" with this vegetable occurs at a very early age. Currently, pediatricians recommend introducing cauliflower as a vegetable complementary food for babies who are breastfed.

This vegetable contains a huge amount of chemical components that favorably affect the cells of the body. So, in 100 grams there are:

• ascorbic acid - 70 mg;
• folic acid - 24 mcg;
• Pantothenic acid - 1 g;
• beta carotene - 0.03 mg;
• nicotinic acid - 0.7 g;
• thiamine, 0.1 mg;
• choline - 46 mg;
• Riboflavin - 0.1 mg.

But also this vegetable contains substances such as, for example, biotin, tocopherol, phylloquinone. The chemical composition of vegetables includes the abundance of macro-and microelements, which contribute to the well-being of both adults and kids.

Cauliflower is a unique food product. It is believed that regular consumption of this vegetable helps reduce the risk of cancer. And to eat this vegetable for the prevention of cancer should be both women and men. Scientists have found that the vegetable contains a number of chemical components that can reduce the likelihood of developing prostate cancer in men and ovaries in women.

Note that not always the use of cauliflower is only beneficial. In rare cases, adverse symptoms may develop.This is usually manifested in people who have certain health characteristics. That is why doctors do not recommend to use this vegetable in the following pathologies:

• intestinal inflammation (acute);
• exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease, with severe pain syndrome and dyspepsia;
• gout;
• urolithiasis with a high risk of stone separation;
• individual intolerance and allergies.

It should be noted that doctors allow cauliflower to eat pregnant and lactating women. In most cases, the use of this vegetable is fairly well tolerated. However, in any rule there may be exceptions. That is why expectant mothers and lactating women should always be careful when including this vegetable in their diet.

If against the background of the use of cauliflower inflorescences the general state of health worsens, and pain appears in the stomach, then you should not eat this vegetable. In this case, you should definitely see a doctor. But you should also carefully use these vegetables to the woman who feeds the baby's breasts, if the crumbs have a high tendency to develop allergic rashes on the skin. In this case, before adding cauliflower to her menu, she should discuss this with the doctor in order to avoid the development of adverse events.

Cauliflower has a fairly low calorie. 100 grams contains only 30 kilocalories. Moreover, the vegetable contains more vegetable proteins than its “colleague” - cabbage. A diet based on adding cauliflower to the daily menu is quite effective. This fact is confirmed by numerous reviews of women who used it in order to achieve optimal indicators of body weight.

A good result from the use of a diet based on cauliflower, is to comply with all the principles of such weight loss. If there is only one cauliflower for 3-4 days, then you can lose weight even a kilogram or more. In this case, it is necessary to use a vegetable both for breakfast and for lunch and dinner.

Observe monodiet on vegetables can only be for several days. Longer adherence to this method of losing weight is quite dangerous, as it can lead to adverse effects for the body. In any case, before following this diet, it is imperative that you see the doctor. Only a doctor will be able to determine the presence of certain conditions in the body, which may act as a contraindication for such a vegetable diet.

Today there is a huge variety of dietary recipes with cauliflower. They can be used to prepare delicious, and most importantly, simple dishes. Cauliflower can be used in different ways. This vegetable is so versatile that it can be used to prepare delicious salad appetizers, soups, vegetable stews.

The rhythm of modern life often contributes to the fact that very little time is left for creating culinary masterpieces. A loaded person, coming after an exhausting day from work, wants to quickly satisfy his hunger. For this, often completely unhealthy foods are used - for example, sausages or fast food. The use of such dishes is not at all conducive to the discharge of extra kilograms, but, on the contrary, only leads to the fact that weight is growing.

To satisfy hunger without harm to the waist, you can use a salad made from cauliflower. For cooking you will need:

• cauliflower inflorescence;
• shabby carrots;
• ½ bell pepper;
• parsley (a few twigs);
• 1 tbsp. l sesame oil;
• ½ tsp honey;
• salt (to taste).

Cauliflower inflorescence should be thoroughly crushed, the pieces should be small in size. Pre-boil the vegetable should not be, so it will remain a maximum of vitamins.Next, the cauliflower should be mixed with a carrot, grated on a coarse grater, cut into longitudinal stripes with pepper and chopped fresh parsley.

Separately preparing refueling. To do this, sesame oil must be added honey, a little salt and mix well.

As a side dish to boiled chicken breast, which is a favorite food for many people losing weight, you can use a salad made from cauliflower and other vegetables. To make such a healthy dish, you will need:

• boiled cauliflower - 150 g;
• fresh cucumber (medium size) - ½ pcs .;
• tomato (medium-sized) - 1 pc .;
• sweet red onions - ½ pcs .;
• sunflower oil - 2 tsp;
• salt (to taste).

Cauliflower inflorescence should be well washed and boiled in a little salted water. After that, the inflorescence should be crushed into small pieces. And also you need to cut a fresh cucumber and tomato. Sweet onion is better to cut into half rings and mix with other vegetables. Season the salad with sunflower oil and, if desired, add salt.

As a delicious dish for lunch, which contains few calories, baked cauliflower will do. Vegetable casseroles are loved by both adults and kids. To prepare a delicious dish you will need:

• cauliflower - 300 g;
• low-fat minced chicken - 200 g;
• onions - ½ pcs .;
• some vegetable oil (to lubricate the form);
• salt and black pepper (to taste);
• cheese (medium fat) - 70 g

Minced chicken should be fried with the onion until half cooked. Cauliflower should be disassembled into small florets and boiled in boiling water for a couple of minutes, then the vegetable should be discarded in a colander. The form in which the vegetable casserole will be prepared must be greased with a small amount of vegetable oil.

The first layer will be half the cauliflower. Then put the fried chicken mince with onions, and then the rest of the vegetables. After that, the top layer of the casserole should be sprinkled with grated cheese. You should cook the casserole in the oven for 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 180 degrees. During this time, the vegetables should be soft, and the cheese completely melted.

Cauliflower is also great for preparing hot dishes. The broth prepared on the basis of this vegetable contains many minerals that improve the functioning of the digestive tract.

Vegetable soup based on cauliflower can be a great addition to the diet. In order to prepare such a dish you will need:

• cauliflower - 100 g;
• potatoes - 1 pc .;
• carrots (medium size) - 1 pc .;
• onions - 1 pc .;
• celery stalks - 2 pcs .;
• olive oil - 1 tbsp. l .;
• fresh green peas - 50-70 g;
• water - 2.5 l;
• salt and black pepper (to taste);
• bay leaf - 1 pc.

Vegetables should be well washed and cut into small cubes. In the pan should pour the specified amount of water and put on the stove.

At this time it is necessary to extinguish the vegetables. To do this, pour olive oil on the pan and put chopped carrots, celery stalks and onions. For frying, just a couple of minutes on medium heat. If you want to further reduce the calorie vegetable soup, then fry vegetables do not need.

After the water boils, add chopped potatoes. After 5-7 minutes, fried vegetables and green peas are added to the broth. Boil the soup should be on medium heat until the vegetables are tender. 5-7 minutes before the soup is ready, it should be salted, pepper if desired, and put a bay leaf.

See the following videos for interesting recipes for cauliflower diets.