A simple trick to banish cauliflower's cooking odor
Cauliflower is a vegetable packed with nutritional value, but it's often linked to an unpleasant smell during cooking. Thankfully, there's a simple way to eliminate this problem and enjoy the taste of this healthy vegetable.
Cauliflower is one of the most popular vegetables. It's associated with summer dinners, delicious breadcrumbs, and a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, its preparation can be troublesome, mainly due to the unpleasant smell it releases during cooking. Fortunately, there's a simple trick to avoid this. Cooking cauliflower can be easy and enjoyable — just add a bit of a certain ingredient to the water. We’ll reveal how to do this and why cauliflower deserves a special place in your kitchen.
Why should you cook cauliflower more often?
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable in the kitchen and is also a nutritional powerhouse. It contains a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support the body's health. It's particularly rich in vitamin C—a strong antioxidant that boosts immunity and supports collagen production, benefiting the skin, joints, and blood vessels.
Don't forget about vitamin K, essential for proper blood clotting, or the B vitamins, which support the nervous system. Cauliflower is also a great source of folic acid, particularly important for pregnant women as it prevents fetal developmental defects.
Thanks to its fibre content, cauliflower supports healthy digestion and provides a feeling of fullness. It is low-calorie—in 100 grams, it contains only about 25 calories—making it an ideal component of a weight loss diet. Add to that minerals like potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which strengthen bones and muscles, and cauliflower becomes a true ally of health.
How to eliminate the unpleasant odor when cooking cauliflower?
The simplest way to get rid of the unpleasant odor when cooking cauliflower is to add a small amount of baking soda to the water. Baking soda neutralizes sulfur compounds responsible for the unpleasant smell.
How to do it?
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil.
- Add a small amount of baking soda—about 1/2 teaspoon is enough.
- Put chopped cauliflower florets into the boiling water with baking soda.
- Cook the cauliflower until tender.
Thanks to this trick, the cauliflower will retain its natural, delicate flavour, and you will avoid unpleasant smells in the kitchen.
How to use cooked cauliflower?
Cooked cauliflower is an excellent base for many dishes. You can serve it:
- with butter and breadcrumbs: This classic combination always works.
- in a casserole: With the addition of cheese, eggs, and your favourite spices.
- in a salad: For example, with the addition of tomatoes, cucumber, and your favourite dressing.
- as a side to meat dishes: Perfectly pairs with poultry and fish.
- as an ingredient in soups and creams: Adds delicacy and a creamy consistency to soups.
Cauliflower is an extremely healthy and versatile vegetable that is worth including in your diet. Thanks to the simple baking soda trick, cooking cauliflower becomes a pleasure, and you can enjoy its flavour without worrying about an unpleasant smell.