Vegan Halloween Edition- Roasted Brain
Halloween. The second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas. What should I say, some people are for it, others are against it. As for me, my last Halloween dress up party was years ago so no spooky costume for me this year. I’m not really into gory stuff so the whole spooky halloween theme doesn’t really appeal to me. I do however, love pumpkin and themed food so I love the creativity aspect of this event. I remember my last proper Hallooween brunch at Mr.G which was pretty weird and spooky with animal blood, hearts, ants, and other strange stuff. Reading the post again I can’t believe how much I’ve changed, being vegan and all. Eating animal body parts is now history for me. But as is the case with anything, it’s just good to reflect on the past, to see how far we’ve come.
So this year I’m doing a much much kinder Halloween :) Still somewhat spooky but definitely not as scary and weird.
Alright, let’s get into this recipe. It looks like brain, it’s vegan, gluten-free, paleo and it’s easy to prepare. It’s also healthy, tasty and certainly Instagram-worthy. If it doesn’t look impressive on camera, then what’s the point, right?
And right now you’re probably wondering how to create a vegan brain, eh? Well, it’s easy! It’s already out there.
And right now you’re probably wondering how to create a vegan brain, eh? Well, it’s easy! It’s already out there.
Cauliflower
No bloodshed required.
Not only does cauliflower look like a brain, it also has enormous benefits for our body’s and brain’s health.
5 Reasons To Eat Cauliflower a.k.a Vegan Brain:
- It’s high in sulfurophane, an anti-cancer compound, which also improves blood pressure and kidney function.
- It’s anti-inflammatory.
- It contains a type of B vitamin, choline, which helps with brain development and improves learning and memory.
- It helps with your body’s natural detox ability
- It is rich in vitamins and minerals. One serving of cauliflower contains 77 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. It’s also packed with beta carotene and other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium and much more
Even putting aside the health benefits, you’ll love this recipe because:
(1) it’s easy and simple to make,
(2) it only contains 10 ingredients and
(3) it looks like a brain but mercifully tastes nothing like it.
Let’s do it.
- 1 large head cauliflower, leaves removed
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 knob of ginger
- ½ tsp curry powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder (optional)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- ½ cup coconut cream
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Wash cauliflower, pat dry and place in a large bowl.
- Using a mortar and pestle (or food processor) smash garlic and ginger into a paste. Add the tandoori spice, lemon and salt and mix until uniform. Fold in the coconut cream.
- Pour the marinade all over, making sure to coat the bottom as well. Place in the fridge to marinate for minimum 1 hour, maximum 12.
- Preheat oven to 200°C. Place cauliflower on a lined baking tray and roast for 50- 60 minutes until tender (depending on the size of the cauliflower).
- Drizzle with some lemon juice and extra olive oil and then serve immediately.
- Serve as is or with a serving of your favourite salad
You can go and make it a bit theatrical by adding some beetroot juice or natural red food colouring for a ‘bloody’ effect but I think it’s pretty impressive just the way it is.
Happy Halloween!!
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and/or share a picture on Instagram and tag me on the picture.
Keren x
I love roasting a whole cauliflower and what a clever recipe for vegans – also love the spirit of Halloween you have included:)
I dont need to know any facts about why its good for me it just tastes great. I love your vegan brain idea and it sure is kinder. Great video
Thanks Tania! It was quite a juggling act making the video on my own but it sure was fun! Glad you like it.
Thanks Rachel! Happy Halloween!
I figured this one out before the page loaded. When I was a kid I refused to eat cauliflower because I said it looked like brains. I love it now!
Whole roasted cauliflower is amazing! Haven’t tried it with coconut cream before.
This is definitely the only way I’d want to eat “brains”! What a clever way to dress up cauliflower for Halloween.
That really does look super spooky and brain-like!