Shaved Cauliflower Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette & Video
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My inspiration for this shaved cauliflower salad came from Adele’s in Nashville. I only had it once, and I never stopped thinking about it. This is my version based on their very good idea, which is why I’m reposting it.
At a recent cookout, I needed a side for burgers. I didn’t want any starch, and a salad seemed too formal. No one around here likes mayonnaise based salads (except me). That delicious cauliflower salad came to mind when my friend texted me from Adele’s during brunch. I looked at the ingredients in their on-line menu and went from there.
Watch the Video for Raw Shaved Cauliflower Salad
Now normally I would not make anything with raw cauliflower, because it has no taste, and isn’t pleasant to eat. However once you add a strong vinegar based dressing, pistachios, golden raisins and scallions, it becomes a pretty addicting salad.
Here’s what I Learned about Raw Shaved Cauliflower Salad.
You almost can’t add enough vinegar and you need to let it marinate overnight. If not, it ends up being fairly tasteless. If you can wait or you plan ahead, it’s amazing, especially if you add nuts for crunch, and dried fruit for sweetness and texture.
You also needs lots of scallions, and a strong mustardy dressing. I used a ratio of vinegar to oil 1 to 2. Normally I use much less vinegar, but this salad needs a lot of acid. It also needs salt, but add the chopped nuts first (which are salted) before you add too much.
I used a large whole cauliflower and sliced each floret as thinly as possible. I tried both slicing with a knife and a mandolin. The mandolin works better and I use this one also featured below.
As far as nuts, I used chopped, salted pistachios. Harder nuts seem to work better in this salad, and you could also use chopped peanuts or sliced almonds. If you use almonds, sautè them first to intensify their flavor. I added in some red chili flakes for heat.
Shaved Cauliflower Salad stays crunchy and is the perfect side dish to take to a party or pot luck.
I find that people really appreciate healthier choices at parties. This will be added to my list of salads that travel well, that include this Potluck Autumn Kale Salad and this Brussels Sprouts Salad with Raw Beet Pesto.
More Spinach Tiger Cauliflower Recipes
Purple Cauliflower Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette
More Spinach Tiger Salad Recipes HERE
Shaved Cauliflower Salad with Champagne Mustard Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1/2 cup chopped salted pistachios
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 2 bunches of scallions
- 1/2 cup champagne vinaigrette see recipe below
- sea salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes as needed
Champagne Mustard Vinaigrette
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar more as needed
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cut out the bottom core of cauliflower. Discard
- Slice cauliflower as thin as you can. Mandolin is best, but you can slice with good sharp knife.
- Toss with vinaigrette.You will want the vinegar to be pronounced. I found that the cauliflower doesn't hold the vinegar taste.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add in chile flakes.
- Add golden raisins, chopped scallions, nuts, (reserve some nuts for garnish).
Vinaigrette Instructions
- Infuse olive oil with chopped garlic for 20 minutes.
- Put mustard in a jar and mix well with vinegar.
- Slowly add olive oil. Mix well.
- Add red pepper flakes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Video
Notes
You might also want to add in more nuts, raisins depending on your own taste. It's important to refrigerate this salad for several hours or overnight to marinate the cauliflower.
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Great post.
I like this salad very much! Thanks alot!
A very healthy salad for diet. I always tried to make this type of lite and a healthier diet.
First time hearing Salad with cauliflower. Will it be tasty?
It’s one of my favorites.
This salad is so good! I have had it at Adeles and was searching for a look-a-like to serve at a dinner party. Have made it several times since, always with rave reviews. Thank you for posting!
YAY! I’m so happy someone who has had it Adele’s likes my version. I make this ALL the time, especially in summer when I want a side!
So excited I found this recipe online but actually the vinegar should be 25 year old aged white balsamic vinegar got that directly from the chef at Adele’s in Nashville this last weekend
Thank you for writing. It is extremely rare to find a 25 year old aged white balsamic, and It’s really not necessary.
Champagne vinegar works well in this recipe, giving it the lift and brightness it needs and I don’t think the salad is compromised at all.
I do love a good 25 year old aged balsamic (not white). I’ve purchased those here and in Italy for over $100, and they are worth it for certain things, but truly I’ve never heard any big fuss on aged white balsamic.
When I’m figuring out a recipe for my readers, I do my best to replicate in a way that makes sense for me and for home cooks. I would never suggest a vinegar that is hard to find or just not necessary.
Looks Wonderful!
I think that the vinegar is missing in the written recipe.
Looks so yummy and I love the colors too. I stumbled it and yummed it!
This is now my favorite new salad. Thanks, Scarlet.
Oooh, I can already imagine the fabulous, satisfying crunch this salad would have! And the blend of flavors sounds delectable.
Yes, Nikki, and there’s the salty crunch from the pistachios.
Ooo, this looks so good! I’ve never had a cauliflower salad like it!
Heather, it’s really good. People asked for seconds!
This was my first time making raw. We were surprised how good it was.
Love that simple vinaigrette and creative cauliflower preparations are always appreciated. GREG