Fried Spicy Cauliflower Nuggets with Buttermilk Dressing

Crisp, golden cauliflower nuggets with warm spice and sesame, finished with a sharp, cooling buttermilk dressing.

INGREDIENTS

     +    
Buttermilk Dressing

100g sour cream

100g mayonnaise

50g buttermilk

10g lemon juice

5g red wine vinegar

1 shallot, finely diced

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

A few dashes Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp Dijon mustard

5g sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper (8 turns)

A few drops Tabasco

     +    
Cauliflower Marinade

1 cauliflower, broken into small nuggets

150ml dark soy sauce

50ml Chinese rice wine

Large pinch Chinese five-spice

2g garlic powder

2g onion powder

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

     +    
Seasoned Flour

150g cornflour

50g strong flour

8g garlic powder

8g onion powder

3g smoked paprika

2g cayenne pepper

8g fine sea salt

1g ground black pepper

10g baking powder

     +    
Batter

3 egg whites, lightly whisked

20g sesame oil

50g reserved cauliflower marinade

180g seasoned flour

150g chilled sparkling water

     +    
Fried Cauliflower

Marinated cauliflower

Remaining seasoned flour

     +    
To Serve

Toasted mixed sesame seeds (2g)

Method

     +    
Buttermilk Dressing

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Chill until ready to serve.

     +    
Cauliflower Marinade

Whisk all ingredients together. Add the cauliflower and marinate for 1 hour. Drain well, reserving some of the marinade for the batter.

     +    
Seasoned Flour

Whisk all ingredients together and pass through a fine sieve.

     +    
Batter

Whisk the egg whites, sesame oil, marinade, and sparkling water together. Gradually whisk into the seasoned flour until the batter reaches a pouring cream consistency.

     +    
Fried Cauliflower

Toss the cauliflower in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.

Dip into the batter, then deep-fry at 180°C for 3–4 minutes, until golden, crisp, and cooked through.

Drain on paper towel, then refry briefly for extra crispness.

Transfer to a bowl and drizzle generously with the buttermilk dressing, tossing to coat.

     +    
To Serve

Pile 6–8 pieces of the dressed cauliflower onto a plate and finish with a scattering of toasted sesame seeds.

Fried Spicy Cauliflower Nuggets with Buttermilk Dressing

Crisp, golden cauliflower nuggets with warm spice and sesame, finished with a sharp, cooling buttermilk dressing.

INGREDIENTS

   +  &nbsp
Buttermilk Dressing

100g sour cream

100g mayonnaise

50g buttermilk

10g lemon juice

5g red wine vinegar

1 shallot, finely diced

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

A few dashes Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp Dijon mustard

5g sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper (8 turns)

A few drops Tabasco

   +   
Cauliflower Marinade

1 cauliflower, broken into small nuggets

150ml dark soy sauce

50ml Chinese rice wine

Large pinch Chinese five-spice

2g garlic powder

2g onion powder

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

   +   
Seasoned Flour

150g cornflour

50g strong flour

8g garlic powder

8g onion powder

3g smoked paprika

2g cayenne pepper

8g fine sea salt

1g ground black pepper

10g baking powder

   +  &nbsp
Batter

3 egg whites, lightly whisked

20g sesame oil

50g reserved cauliflower marinade

180g seasoned flour

150g chilled sparkling water

   +   
Fried Cauliflower

Marinated cauliflower

Remaining seasoned flour

   +   
To Serve

Toasted mixed sesame seeds (2g)

Method

   +   
Buttermilk Dressing

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Chill until ready to serve.

   +   
Cauliflower Marinade

Whisk all ingredients together. Add the cauliflower and marinate for 1 hour. Drain well, reserving some of the marinade for the batter.

   +   
Seasoned Flour

Whisk all ingredients together and pass through a fine sieve.

   +   
Batter

Whisk the egg whites, sesame oil, marinade, and sparkling water together. Gradually whisk into the seasoned flour until the batter reaches a pouring cream consistency.

   +   
Fried Cauliflower

Toss the cauliflower in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.

Dip into the batter, then deep-fry at 180°C for 3–4 minutes, until golden, crisp, and cooked through.

Drain on paper towel, then refry briefly for extra crispness.

Transfer to a bowl and drizzle generously with the buttermilk dressing, tossing to coat.

   +   
To Serve

Pile 6–8 pieces of the dressed cauliflower onto a plate and finish with a scattering of toasted sesame seeds.

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