Cheesy Cauliflower "Toast"

I know very few people in this world that have a hatred for avocado toast. I would say it somewhat parallels the same amount of people who hate cute puppies frolicking through a field of fresh flowers. But sometimes people are looking to eliminate grains, go gluten free, or cut out the majority of their carbohydrates all together. There are so many healthy substitutions out there. Cauliflower has been a big player on the scene for a while now. Cauliflower Rice, Cauliflower Pizza Crust, Cauliflower Bread Sticks. You name it. The same goes from bread substitutions. I have seen thinly sliced sweet potato go into a toaster a few times, and become the base/bread for avocado toast. It would seem that the need to put avocado on "toast" is that deeply ingrained in human nature. And who am I to try to deny you of this desire for avocado toast?!?!

One of the main problems that I have had with cauliflower toast is binding it together. It always seems to be more of a "hash" and less of a cohesive platform for food. Don't get me wrong, it's good. But I want more from my food! In walks cheese. My dearest friend of all time, cheese. Sure, you're going to add some calories. But cheese has protein, right? (Justification 1) And flavor (Justification 2). We all need a little flavor in our lives (Justification 3). And we definitely need flavor in our food (Justification 4). Cows need meaning in life, producing milk for our joy and consumption gives them a sense of purpose (Justification 5). So if not for yourself, do it for the cows. (But really its for you.)

Cauliflower "toast", is that what we were talking about? Anyway, adding the cheese adds flavor and helps to bind the cauliflower so that it stays better in the patty. I love to hammer out a batch of these and then my breakfast is practically ready for the nest 4-5 days. Over easy egg, avocado slices, avocado/arugula/lime juice/salt mixture, pick your delicious poison. And why limit yourself to breakfast? Maybe add some extra granulated garlic or onion to make it more of a side dish, a pan "fried" fritter. Anyway you slic it, were talking a win-win here. :)

Makes 8 patties or so

Ingredients/Instructions:

1 head of cauliflower

4 oz shredded cheese of choice (I am a huge fan of extra sharp cheddar, pepper jack may be nice too)

2 eggs

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp granulated garlic (optional)

1/2 tsp granulated onion (optional)

pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

1. Remove the leaves and the core from the cauliflower

2. Add the cauliflower to a food processor a few florets at a time. I like to add pieces roughly 1 1/2" in size to my food processor, filling it only 2/3 of the way up at a time. I do this because I want to keep some pieces from getting overly chopped while others remain large. You can also grate your cauliflower on a cheese grater if you do not have a food processor.

3. Add the cauliflower to a mixing bowl after it has been chopped down to the desired size.

4. Using a cheese grater, grate roughly 4 oz of cheese and add it to your bowl as well.

5. Add 2 eggs, salt, pepper and the optional garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes.

6. Mix well.

7. Add some cooking spray (I like organic coconut oil cooking spray) or olive oil/butter to griddle top, or in a non stick pan. Form into patties of desired size and cook roughly 5-7 minutes per side. The cauliflower has a high water content, so it may talk a little longer than you might it to. If it takes longer than I just described that is okay. Jesus still loves you. :)