To Cheese or Not To Cheese, That is the Question!

Aahh, cauliflower.  An interesting vegetable that, for many, is a bit bland.  Growing up my parents boiled it to death and covered it with cheese sauce – not the healthiest!  You may have heard “eat the rainbow” reminding you to eat colorful fruit and vegetables for the most nutrients.  And some people are on a “no white foods” kick.  Really, what good is cauliflower anyway?  Cauliflower’s a white (yes, that counts as a color) veggie (or orange or purple if you are feeling adventurous and spendy) and it’s an excellent source of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins.  Not to mention important antioxidant phytonutrients!  Go ahead and give it another shot – you won’t be sorry!

How do I get my children to ask for cauliflower for dinner?  Roast it of course!  Kids should basically eat everything their family eats.  None of this cooking a separate meal or eating off the kids menu (that’s a whole other post)!  So whatever veggie I’m making for dinner, my kiddos will get some.  By now, she’s figured out that she needs to at least taste everything and most of the time she ends up eating a pretty good amount of each item on her plate.  

​As a registered dietitian, I’m always looking for ways to ditch the cheese sauce and find that perfect balance of healthy and delicious!  Roasting is easy – set it and forget!  Just break up your cauliflower into small-medium florets and toss with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.  You can add other flavors as well such as a little lemon juice, garlic, or some thyme.  Then spread it out on a cookie sheet and roast at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Perfectly caramelized deliciousness!  Fast enough for a healthy weeknight meal.  So, skip the cheese – your kids will thank you!

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