Crispy Cauliflower Wings with Chaga Garlic Sauce
We all love cauliflower wings be vegan or not. Their crispy crunchy exterior dunked in a little sauce, flavours the steamed cauliflower interior. They all take on a linear story with alters only slightly in flour, water or frying method. But how can we take these delicious babies to a whole new level (without extra hours in the kitchen)? Chaga Life, that’s how.
Cauliflower wings have really taken first place on the recipe hall of fame. We can all agree to that no? They all end in a similar result with only a slight ingredient or cooking method change. But let’s take your basic, beloved cauli wings and assign it with earthy and woody notes because making everyday classics that little extra special can take your isolation day from bottom to top in only one mouthful.
First, a little about cauliflowers… and yes, more than to tell you they are just white. Within the bumpy, rather monotonous white flesh lies benefits for us humans, including;
high in fibre
high in vitamin B
high in antioxidants
high in phytonutrients
high in potassium
high in vitamin C
high in vitamin B6
high in magnesium
high in choline
What does all that mean? Eating 1 cup of cauliflower can;
Enhance weight loss
Improve digestion
Aid learning and memory
Fight against cancer
Strength bones
Boost cardiovascular system
Yes, all within one cup. So, along with the benefits of Chaga, this dish does really offer more than a delicious meal. To recap from my pervious Chaga article - here. Chaga is a mushroom fungus which is brewed and drunk typically as a tea. It has been used by Russians for hundreds of years where it was reported to help energy levels and an overall sense of well-being. One of the most unique aspects of Chaga is it’s adaptive qualities that help aid the imbalances in the human body. It will literally alter it’s function to restore the body to it’s ideal balance.
Chaga Life is the only company that I trust because of the quality of their drinks - pure, natural and concentrated. They source their mushrooms from Serbia where they have a local farmer who sells directly to them - this means no middle men and thus, lower prices and better quality.
Please read through the full list of health benefits found within chaga which you can find here, as well as a fun and easy Tomato and Chaga Chutney Toasty.
Cauliflower Wings with Chaga garlic sauce
Ingredients
3/4 cauliflower, split into florets
1 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground pepper
2 tsp marjoram
2 cups water
1 1/2 tbsp honey (or Maple Syrup for vegan)
3 tbsp Chaga Life liquid
2 garlic cloves, finely diced
1/4 cup soy
1 tbsp tomato sauce (ketchup or pureed homemade sauce)
Canola oil for frying
Spring onions for garnish
Method
In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, salt, pepper and marjoram. Add water, half at a time, mixing well between. The batter should be slightly runny but thick enough to stick and coat the cauliflower florets. Add cauliflower florets, stirring very well so that the batter evenly covers every side.
Heat a none stick frying pan with about a centimetre of oil (you can also use a deep fryer if you have one). Dollop a floret into the oil, making sure they are separated otherwise they will stick together. Cook for about 5-8 minutes the first side then turn, cooking in the oil on every side (normally 3-5 minutes for the other sides). Basically the floret should turn a brown and crispy. Place onto paper towel to drain remaining oil. Repeat until all florets are cooked.
Cook the garlic until golden, then add the Chaga Life liquid, honey, soy and tomato sauce, mixing well. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until when you run a scoop along the bottom of the saucepan, the mix is quite thick and takes some time to run back together.
To serve, sprinkle with spring onions and the garlic honey sauce along side. Dip into sauce for a salty, sweet combo.
