Sesame Cauliflower Stir-Fry with Sweet Chilli and Honey Sauce Recipe
This Sesame Cauliflower recipe is a flavorful and healthy stir-fry featuring tender cauliflower florets in a rich, sweet, and tangy sauce made with sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, and sweet chili. Perfect as a vegetarian main or side dish, it pairs beautifully with steamed or fried rice for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 600 g (1.3 lb) cauliflower florets (approx. 1 extra-large cauliflower)
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 spring onions (scallions), sliced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato ketchup
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon cornflour (cornstarch) mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water to form a slurry
- 2 teaspoons mixed black and white sesame seeds
To Serve
- Boiled or fried rice
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Break the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, ensuring they are roughly uniform for even cooking.
- Heat the Oil: Warm the sesame oil in a wok over medium heat until hot and shimmering.
- Stir Fry Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir fry for 5 minutes until the cauliflower begins to soften and develop browned edges.
- Add Vegetable Stock: Pour in the vegetable stock and increase the heat to high. Continue cooking the cauliflower in the bubbling stock, tossing regularly, for 3 minutes to further tenderize.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the minced garlic, white wine vinegar, honey, sweet chilli sauce, tomato ketchup, light brown sugar, and dark soy sauce. Mix thoroughly to coat the cauliflower evenly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Allow it to simmer gently, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: Push the cauliflower to one side of the wok. Stir the cornflour slurry into the free side and cook for an additional 1 minute to thicken the sauce. Turn off the heat once the sauce has thickened.
- Serve: Plate the sesame cauliflower over boiled or fried rice. Garnish with mixed sesame seeds and sliced spring onions for a nutty crunch and fresh flavor.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small chopped chili when stir frying.
- Adjust the sweetness and tanginess by varying the amounts of honey, brown sugar, and vinegar to suit your taste.
- This dish can be made gluten-free by using tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
- Leftover cauliflower is great reheated and served with noodles or rice.
Keywords: Sesame cauliflower, vegetarian stir fry, Asian cauliflower recipe, healthy cauliflower dish, sesame oil, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, quick vegetarian meal
