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Blog Plant-Based Recipe

The World’s Best Crispy, Coconut Lime, Oil-Free, Baked Caulilower Tacos

Judy Hunsberger
Has anyone in your life ever let out a yelp? You know the kind that caused you to run like a rabbit to check out the reason for the noise? You know the kind that makes your heart sink because it’s filled with emotion and you’re certain there’s an emergency unfolding? This happened recently and I discovered that my husband wasn’t in need of first responders. Rather he was reacting to a dinner invite for the world’s best crispy baked cauliflower tacos.
 
It would have been a very different story six years ago. His reaction to the same dinner invitation would have been far different. Rather, if he’d been invited to a cauliflower taco meal the reaction would have been met with peals of laughter. Why? No way in this world he would have eaten any type of baked cauliflower, let alone in a cauliflower taco. No sir. Six years ago the only type of tacos he would have eaten would have lots of greasy hamburger meat, or some type of ground pork or chicken. I suspect he would still be needing help up off of the floor because he would have been doubled over laughing at the notion of a cauliflower taco!

Sharing in the Journey

 
A lot has changed in the past six years. Five years ago we ditched the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) and adopted the plant-based lifestyle. What’s even better is that we weren’t alone as my husband’s sister and her family joined us in the quest to a better way of eating. You can check out our story here.
 
Since our two families began our plant-based journey at the same time we were able to learn how to retool our eating together. We’ve spent lots of time sharing recipe ideas and trying out new dishes. Admittedly we’ve had our share of flops. The good news is that nowadays those flops are few and far between.
 
Fast forward to today. Somehow I had missed eating my sister-in-law’s version of said cauliflower tacos but had heard other family members raving about them. That yelp that my husband emitted was one of delight. I too was happy to finally get to taste the deliciousness that had prompted the yelp.

Reduced Sodium

My sister-in-law adapted Jenn Sebestyen’s of Veggie Inspired crispy baked cauliflower taco recipe to accommodate a low sodium diet. What I like about these tacos is the variety of flavors that come into play and the fact that they’re baked and oil free. There’s the citrus taste of lime. Also the crispy taste of the breading and a medley of flavors in the dressing.
 
I’ll admit I was a bit reluctant to try these tacos because I’m not a huge fan of the taste of coconut. I was reassured that there isn’t an overt coconut flavor so I gave it a try. Wow! I’m glad I did. These tacos are so fresh tasting and crispy that it’s hard to stop at one or two taco’s.

The Worlds Best Crispy Baked Califlower Tacos Enjoyed by All Types of Eaters

What’s also interesting is that, on the night that my Sister-in-law made these tacos there were a range of eating styles sitting at the table. There were four fully committed plant-based eaters, three others that embrace the choice but often dip back into the S.A.D. and two full on omnivores. Every single person loved these tacos. Including my 95 year old mother-in-law who is an omnivore though and through.
 
If you want to experience an amazing bouquet of flavors and enjoy crispy (baked without oil) and citrusy tastes, this is the meal for you. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next one who yelps with delight when you know you’re about to have the world’s best crispy-baked cauliflower tacos.
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The World's Best Plant-Based|Vegan Crispy Coconut Lime Oil-Free, Baked Cauliflower Tacos

If you want to experience an amazing bouquet of flavors and enjoy crispy (baked without oil) and citrusy tastes, this is the meal for you.

*Adapted from Jenn Sebestyen

Ingredients

Baked Cauliflower

  • 1 Medium Cauliflower Sliced into long pieces
  • 1/2 Cup Full Fat Coconut milk
  • Juice and Zest 1 Lime
  • 1/2 Cup Panko breadcrumbs Can use gluten free
  • 1/2 Cup Cornmeal
  • 1/2 Cup Unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp Tumeric
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper

Sweet and Sour Slaw

  • 3/4 Cup Chopped red cabbage
  • 3/4 Cup Chopped green cabbage
  • 1/2 Cup Shredded carrots
  • Juice 1 Lime
  • 1 tbsp White vinegar
  • 1-2 tsp Pure maple syrup

Tangy Vegan Tartar Sauce

  • 1/3 Cup Vegan mayo
  • 1/3 Cup Diced dill pickel
  • Juice and Zest 1 Lime
  • 1 1/2 tsp Dried dill
  • Dash of Sriracha Optional

Additional Items

  • Tortillas Corn tortillas can be used if gluten free
  • Additional lime wedges Optional
  • Dash of sriracha for taste Optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

Sweet and Sour Slaw

  1. It's best to make the slaw first so it can marinate and soften up a little. In a medium bowl, place all the wet ingredients together and whisk.  Pour them over the veggies, cover and place in the fridge.

Baked Cauliflower

  1. 1.Use a wide shallow bowl and whisk the wet ingredients: coconut milk, zest and juice of 1 lime and set aside.

    2. In another wide shallow bowl whisk together the dry ingredients: panko, cornmeal, shredded coconut, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, tumeric and pepper.  Set aside.

    3. Use a silicon mat or parchment paper on a baking sheet.  Create a breading station in this order: cauliflower, wet ingredients, dry ingredients, baking sheet.

    4. Dip a slice of cauliflower in the wet ingredients, making sure to flip it over and cover both sides. Dredge the slice in the dry ingredients, again flipping it over and pressing down taking care to evenly coat both sides. Note the breading should not be falling off the cauliflower. Transfer your breaded pieces of cauliflower to the lined baking sheet. 

    5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, Be sure to flip each piece over after 15 minutes. Bake until both sides are crispy and golden brown.

Tartar Sauce

  1. 1. Using a small bowl, add all ingredients and stir.  

    2. Refrigerate until ready to use it.

    *Note, if you want an oil-free meal, omit the tartar sauce on your taco.


Tacos

  1. 1. Assemble the tacos by placing a tortilla on a plate, layer a bit of the slaw, place a slice or some pieces of the crispy breaded cauliflower and top with the tartar sauce.  Garnish with an optional  squeeze of lime or a dash of sriracha.

    2. Yelp with delight and enjoy!!