Cauliflower Adobo

a comforting Asian meal, minus the chicken

This recipe from NYT Cooking explains that chicken adobo is a traditional dish in the Philippines, but can easily be vegetarian-ized by using cauliflower or tofu instead of meat. Both substitutes are great because they are rather bland by themselves, and always take whatever flavor you give them.

The cauliflower adobo pairs well with stir fried Napa cabbage, atop a bed of warm hearty brown rice, sprinkled with peanuts for protein and red pepper flakes for extra spice. It’s a great simple dinner for the weeknights — it comes together in 30 minutes! Definitely one of my favorite new recipes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups brown rice, rinsed
• 1 head cauliflower (or tofu)
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 head Napa cabbage, rough chopped
• 1/2 rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 5 Thai chilis, sliced
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp chili sauce
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• peanuts
• crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. Cook rice in rice cooker, on “quick rice” setting if you are low on time.
2. Chop the cauliflower into large pieces, about 3 inches.
3. In a dutch oven, heat 3 tbsp of neutral oil, like canola oil, on medium heat.
4. Add cauliflower to the pot, along with salt and pepper.
5. Fry until most sides are golden brown, checking every 5 minutes.
6. In a wok, heat some olive oil, then add the cabbage and a splash of water. Cover and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add optional vegetable stock and/or soy sauce to the cabbage, then continue cooking until tender.
8. Mix vinegar, soy sauce, chilis, brown sugar, and chili sauce in a bowl.
9. Remove the cauliflower from the Dutch oven when browned, into a colander to let excess oil drain.
10. Add mixture to the Dutch oven, as well as bay leaves and sesame oil. Add water, about 1 cup, and cover. Cook for 5 minutes covered.
11. If you want less, thicker sauce, remove the lid and let reduce.
12. Add cauliflower back to the Dutch oven and reheat, basting with sauce.
13. Serve cauliflower with rice and cabbage, topped with peanuts and crushed red pepper flakes. Enjoy!