Cauliflower Breakfast Patty

Cauliflower rice has become all the rage! It is nothing more than white cauliflower chopped up to resemble the shape of rice. Cauliflower, however, is the source of great nutrition being from the cruciferous family of vegetables. It is a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids, phytonutrients, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate, biotin, manganese, phosphorus and dietary fiber.  If consumed at least once a week it has been associated with a decrease in colorectal and prostate cancer along with cardiovascular disease. With all this good news I went about finding a way to make a tasty morning breakfast patty. 

ONWARD:

Since it is a native of the Mediterranean, it is only fitting to pair it with other Mediterranean ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, garbanzo bean flour, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, fresh basil and marjoram. This all fits into a wonderful plant-based recipe. The eggs and garbanzo bean flour add much-needed protein to a plant-based diet. The addition of nutritional yeast adds, even more,  nutrition with vitamin B12 and that wonderful cheesy umami flavor. Since creating this recipe we have enjoyed adding it to our once-a-week favorite breakfasts served with a bowl of fresh fruit and Greek yogurt.

6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

3 large eggs, whipped

¼ cup garbanzo bean flour

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

1 teaspoon kosher salt

¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

1 tablespoon equal parts fresh basil and marjoram, chopped

1 pound cauliflower rice*

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1.     Gradually whip the garbanzo bean flour, nutritional yeast and salt into the whipped eggs until smooth.

2.     Add the cheese, basil, marjoram and cauliflower rice and mix until well-blended.

3.     Heat a large cast iron pan or griddle over medium heat.

4.     Add the olive oil and when it shimmers mound the cauliflower mixture into six equal piles. Pat each one down and smooth the sides so they are all about one-half inch high.

5.     Cook until golden brown on one side. Flip and brown the other side.

6.     Serve hot. May wish to garnish with more cheese and/or chopped herbs. Excess patties can be refrigerated and reheated within the next two days.

*Cauliflower rice can be found at Trader Joe's as well as the nutritional yeast. Or one pound of white cauliflower can be pulsed in a food processor until the size of rice kernels. Always use fresh, not frozen cauliflower or the patties will be mushy and runny.