Orange cauliflower is a vegetarian friendly take on Panda Express’s popular orange chicken recipe. Loaded with a sweet and spicy orange sauce, this lightened up take out classic will have your family happily eating their vegetables!

prep time: 15 MINUTES

cook time: 30 MINUTES

total time: 45 MINUTES

yield: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup flour – gluten free or almond flour for keto version
  • salt to taste
  • Half head of cauliflower, cut into 1 1/2 inch ( 3 cm) florets
FOR THE SAUCE
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic- minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoon water
  • GARNISH
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seed
  • 1 scallions- thinly sliced -for garnish
  • Instructions
  • Wash and cut cauliflower into bite sized pieces.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and water.
  • One at a time, dip each cauliflower floret in the batter to coat, let the excess batter drip off.
  • Arrange the battered cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet, or in your air fryer making sure they aren’t touching one another.

Air fry -375 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Instant pot Airfryer lid – 375 Degrees F for 12 – 15 minutes

Bake- Pre heated oven 400 degrees. bake it on middle rack for 20- 25 minutes

ORANGE SAUCE

  1. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet or pan over medium heat, add garlic , ginger , red chili flakes and give it a stir.
  2. Next goes the orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce.
  3. Cook for 1 minute on high flame and let it come to a boil
  4. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water to form a paste.Add it to the orange sauce and whisk together.
  5. Continue to cook for 2 -3 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken.
  6. Once the sauce is thickened, add in the sesame oil, and lower the heat .
  7. Toss the cooked cauliflower florets in the sauce until well coated.
  8. Serve the cauliflower over rice and garnish with the scallions and sesame seeds
  9. Enjoy!