Chinese 5 Spice Cauliflower Steaks with Wasabi Avocado Relish

Deliciously Vegan- Serves 2 as main dish

1 head cauliflower

4 large garlic cloves, minced

2-3 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp Chinese 5 spice

1 tsp brown sugar

¼ tsp red chili flakes

1 tbsp soy sauce

Salt/Pepper to taste

Optional garnish: peanuts, cashews, or wasabi peas

1. Preheat Grill (no grill? Preheat oven to about 425 degrees)

2. Remove leaves from cauliflower and cut off the end of the stem if it is long. Flush with the head of the cauliflower. Head side up- Slice vertically into “steaks”, you should get about 4-5 steaks about ½ inch thick. If the ends don’t stay together and break away, don’t stress, just keep the pieces large so they don’t fall through the grates of the grill. Set aside on a tray.

3. Add remaining ingredients to bowl and mix well. Using a spoon or brush (or hands!), cover the cauliflower on all sides with oil mixture. Season with salt/pepper.

4. Grill on medium/low for about 15-20 minutes flipping ½ way through until fork tender. (I had heat on medium until I flipped the steaks and then turned it to low for remaining amount of time.)  If baking- bake for about 20-25 minutes or until fork tender and has crispy edges.

-Wasabi Avocado Relish-

2 small ripe avocados (adjust size as needed, finding a ripe avocado sometimes is the hardest part!)

1 tbsp ginger, minced

1 tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 tsp wasabi paste (adjust as needed for spicy level)**

2-3 green onions, white and green parts, minced

2 tbsp chopped cilantro (about ½ small bunch)- split (1 tbsp for garnish)

½ tsp soy sauce

¼ tsp sesame oil (optional)

Salt/Pepper to taste

1.     Add all ingredients to bowl EXCEPT avocado to bowl and mix well.

2.     Dice Avocado into large chunks- then add to bowl, season with salt/pepper and mix GENTLY. Keeping the relish chunky style.

3.     Top cauliflower steaks with relish and garnish.

**Wasabi paste- I got mine from whole foods-you may even find wasabi powder which is fine- follow instructions on package to make paste. Most grocery stores now have an area near the deli section where they make freshly made sushi. My first store did not have wasabi to purchase so I went up and asked if I could have just an ounce of wasabi paste- I got a very blunt “NO”-but maybe your grocery store might be a little more generous.