Japanese-style Cauliflower with Ham and Cheese

Ingredients

In this Japanese adaptation, the original Croatian dish of cauliflower with ham and cheese is transformed by incorporating Japanese flavors and cooking techniques. The dish is stir-fried instead of baked, allowing for a quicker cooking time and a more vibrant texture. Additionally, the sauce is infused with umami-rich ingredients such as soy sauce, mirin, and dashi, giving the dish a distinct Japanese flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Cvjetača sa šunkom i sirom, so you can check it out.

• 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
• 200g (7 oz) ham, sliced into thin strips 200g (7 oz) ham, sliced into thin strips
• 150g (5.3 oz) Japanese cheese, grated 150g (5.3 oz) Japanese cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 tablespoon dashi stock 1 tablespoon dashi stock
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 5g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Steam the cauliflower florets until they are tender but still retain their crunch. Set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Add the ham strips to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to brown.
4. 4.
   Add the steamed cauliflower florets to the skillet and stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, and dashi stock. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower and ham mixture in the skillet.
6. 6.
   Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the sauce has coated the cauliflower and ham evenly.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle the grated Japanese cheese over the top of the cauliflower and ham mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 1-2 minutes until the cheese has melted.
8. 8.
   Remove from heat and transfer the dish to a serving plate.
9. 9.
   Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
10. 10.
    Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cauliflower — Be careful not to overcook the cauliflower during steaming as it should retain its crunch. It is important to cut the cauliflower into evenly sized florets to ensure even cooking.
• Japanese cheese — Use a mild and meltable Japanese cheese such as mozzarella or cheddar for the best results.
• Dashi stock — If you cannot find dashi stock, you can substitute it with vegetable broth or chicken broth for a slightly different flavor profile.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a teaspoon of grated ginger to the sauce.
• Feel free to add other vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms for added variety.
• Serve this dish as a main course with steamed rice or as a side dish to complement a Japanese-inspired meal.
• Experiment with different types of Japanese cheese to find your favorite flavor combination.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of chili flakes or drizzle with sriracha sauce before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Japanese-style cauliflower with ham and cheese hot as a main course or as a side dish. It pairs well with steamed rice and a side of miso soup for a complete Japanese meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the cauliflower florets and ham strips in an attractive pattern on the serving plate. Sprinkle the sesame seeds and green onions evenly over the dish for a pop of color. Serve on a Japanese-style plate or bowl to further enhance the visual appeal.