Sticky Cauliflower Burgers in Brioche Buns with Pickled Cabbage

Thursday, February 11, 2016

I will take any excuse to eat a hamburger. This is a can be a dangerous habit. Although I couldn't justify having a straight up juicy beef burger on a Thursday lunchtime, I was pretty fine about slight compromise and substitute. Introducing the cauliflower burger (if you haven't already happened to meet it already). It's sticky, spicy, sweet and as a matter of fact, juicy too.

If like me, you can't help sticking something delicious in a bun, let this be your 'stick-ee' today and if those buns just happen to be brioche buns, that can't hurt either.

Sticky Cauliflower Burgers
in Brioche Buns 

Makes 4 Burgers

YOU WILL NEED:
1 HEAD CAULIFLOWER, TRIMMED AND WASHED
1 EGG
1/2 CUP ALMOND MILK
1 CUP CORNMEAL (PREFERABLY ORGANIC)
1/2 CUP HOISIN SAUCE 
1/4 CUP KETCHUP
1/4 CUP SRIRACHA
1 TBSP SOY SAUCE
JUICE OF 1 LEMON
1/2 TSP GARLIC GRANULES
CHILI FLAKES
SALT AND PEPPER
SESAME SEEDS 
1 SRING ONION, FINELY CHOPPED

CABBAGE:
1/2 HEAD OF CABBAGE 
JUICE OF 2 LIMES
ZEST OF 1 LIME
SALT AND PEPPER

4 BRIOCHE BUNS OR BURGER BUNS
1 TSBP MAYONAISE 

Pre-heat the oven to 200C or 390F

Boil the cauliflower for 10 minutes and then drain and leave to steam dry for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat the egg with the almond milk and a pinch of salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. 

Pour the cornmeal into a separate mixing bowl. 

When the cauliflower is dry. Cut it length ways into four 'steaks'. There will be a few florets leftover which you can still use. 

Prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper. 

Dip the steaks and florets into the egg mixture, letting any excess liquid drip off and then dip into the cornmeal. 

Place the cauliflower pieces on the baking tray. 

Bake for 20 minutes and until the cauliflower has gone slightly golden and very crispy. 

Meanwhile, make the sticky sauce and the cabbage. Combine the hoisin, ketchup, sriracha, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic granules, a pinch of salt and pepper and pinch of chill flakes. 

For the cabbage, chop it very finely and mix thoroughly with the lime juice, lime zest, salt and pepper.

Coat each piece of cauliflower in the sauce, place back on the baking tray and then sprinkle each piece with sesame seeds. 

Turn the grill/broiler on and let the sauce bubble and caramelise a little. About 5 minutes. 

Remove the cauliflower from the broiler. 

Toast your buns in the oven or on a griddle pan for 2 minutes. 

Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of the bun. Place a cauliflower 'burger' on the bottom half of the bun, top with spring onion and the pickled cabbage. 

Enjoy immediately! (Snack on the extra little florets later).

(You can also make the cauliflower a few hours in advance. Bake the cauliflower and make the sauce but only dip in sauce and broil when you're ready to eat).