Cauliflower Nuggets With Vegan Cheese Sauce Food

VEGAN NUGGETS

Steps:

• Pulse the cauliflower, carrots and onion in a food processor until very finely chopped, like rice. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and gently fry the mix for 12-15 mins until softened. Add the garlic and fry for a further 1 min, then take off the heat and stir in the nutritional yeast and yeast extract. Set aside.
• Blend the beans into a mushy purée in a food processor, then add to the veggie mix and combine well. Stir in the flour and season. Put in the fridge to firm up for 1 hr.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment and coat with a little olive oil. To make the coating, mix the gram flour with 150ml water using a fork so it resembles beaten egg, then season. Scatter the extra gram flour on a plate and fill a second with the breadcrumbs.
• Roll the bean mixture into walnut-sized pieces, then flatten to form nugget shapes. Dip the pieces first in the gram flour, then in the gram batter, and finally roll in the breadcrumbs - handle carefully as they will be a little soft. When the nuggets are fully coated, lay them out on the prepared tray.
• Bake for 20 mins, then use tongs to turn each nugget over and bake for a further 15 mins until they are dark golden and crisp. Leave to cool for 20 mins before serving with your choice of dipping sauces.

VEGAN CAULIFLOWER CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the cauliflower florets and stalks with the oil in a large roasting tin and season well. Roast for 25-30 mins until almost tender, then add the leaves and cook for a further 5 mins.
• To make the sauce, melt the vegan butter block in a large saucepan. Add the flour, mustard powder, onion and garlic granules and cook for 2-3 mins. Gradually add the soya milk, whisking well to incorporate. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, then simmer for 4-5 mins until thickened and reduced slightly. Add the nutritional yeast and season well, then whisk to combine.
• Tip the sourdough breadcrumbs and vegan cheese into a bowl and stir to combine. Season well. Remove the cauliflower from the oven, spoon over the sauce and stir to combine. Scatter over the cheesy sourdough crumbs and return to the oven for 10 mins until bubbling and golden. Serve as a side or main with a green salad.