Spicy Baked Cauliflower Bites with Celery Ranch

Ingredients

For the batter:

• 2 to 3 Tbsp hot sauce
• 1 Tbsp evoo
• 1/2 to 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 to 1 tsp cayenne/ red chili powder
• 1.5 tsp garlic powder
• 1.5 tsp onion powder
• 1.5 to 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 cup coconut milk, canned, preferably full fat
• 1/4 cup water
• 3.5 to 4 cups cauliflower florets

Breadcrumb coating:

• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt

Celery Ranch Sauce:

• 1/2 cup ground cashew
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup almond milk
• 2 tbsp flour or 1 Tbsp arrowroot starch
• 2/3 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, can be omitted
• a very generous dash of black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder, or 2 roasted garlic cloves
• 1 to 2 tsp ranch seasoning, Or use equal amounts of dried parsley, dill, thyme, garlic powder and onion powder.
• 1 to 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 to 1 tsp celery seeds, (omit to make plain ranch, add some fresh dill for plain ranch)

Steps

Make the Cauliflower bites:

1. In a bowl, combine all the batter ingredients except cauliflower. If too thin, add more flour or starch.
2. Mix all the breadcrumb-coating ingredients in another shallow bowl.
3. Dip cauliflower into batter, coat with breadcrumbs and put on a parchment-lined sheet. Use gloves or a fork because the batter is spicy.
4. Drizzle any leftover batter over the cauliflower, then spray with oil.
5. Bake in an oven preheated to 425 degrees F / 220ºc for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick passes through the cauliflower easily. Serve warm with the dip.

Make the Celery Ranch dip:

1. For the celery ranch dip, blend all its ingredients except celery seeds. Taste and adjust salt and flavour, then add celery seeds and blend a few seconds. Chill before serving.