Cluck Cluck Cauliflower

Continuing with our new recipe search, I picked up a cookbook at the library called Almost Meatless. It has some really great ideas for slimming down the amount of meat in recipes while maintaining great flavor. Well, if the first recipe we tried is any indication, it does all that. And their food photography is much better than mine, so don't let that scare you away!

Chicken and Curried Cauliflower Salad Sandwiches
adapted from Almost Meatless

1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped into 2-inch pieces (about 6 cups)
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. canola oil
1 tsp. curry powder
salt and pepper
1 large chicken breast
1/2-3/4 c. mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. curry powder
1/3 c. salted roasted nuts (I used peanuts, the original recipe called for cashews)
1/3 c. raisins
Bread slices, toasted, for making sandwiches

Preheat oven to 400˚. Toss the cauliflower with 1 Tbsp. oil, 1 tsp. curry powder, and 1/4 tsp. salt.  Arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or in a glass baking dish. Put the chicken in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet; brush with the remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Put both in oven. Roast the cauliflower for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Let the chicken roast for an additional 10-15 minutes (30-35 minutes total), until cooked thoroughly. Remove from oven and cool.

Add 1/2 tsp. curry powder to mayo. When cauliflower and chicken are cool, dice chicken in 1/2-inch pieces and roughly chop cauliflower so pieces are no larger than 1/2-inch. Combine chicken, cauliflower, mayo, nuts, and raisins, and toss until well mixed. Season with more curry, salt or pepper if needed (I used a bit of garlic powder too). Scoop onto toasted bread and serve.

Keith and I both really liked this one, and I was pleasantly surprised that Colter dug in too. I think it helps that he was in the kitchen with me and sampled each thing as it was going in so having it all mixed together didn't throw him off. I know having kids in the kitchen to help them become better eaters isn't a new idea, but I am always amazed by how much more excited Colter is to eat when he gets to help with the meal prep, especially when it comes to new or different flavors.