MEXICAN STREET CAULIFLOWER WITH COTIJA CHEESE

Mexican Street Cauliflower with Cotija Cheese Recipe

A keto-friendly twist on Mexican street corn (One-Pan, Ready in 30 minutes)

Key Info

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Calories: 245 per serving
• Fat: 22g
• Protein: 6g
• Net Carbs: 4g
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dietary Tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Equipment Needed

• Large baking sheet
• Mixing bowls (2)
• Whisk
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Alternative: Grill pan instead of baking sheet for stovetop cooking

Ingredients

For the Cauliflower:

• 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lbs/900g), cut into florets
• 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp (5g) chili powder
• ½ tsp (2.5g) smoked paprika
• ½ tsp (2.5g) garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce:

• ¼ cup (60g) mayonnaise
• ¼(15ml) lime juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp ground cumin

Toppings:

• ½ cup (56g) crumbled Cotija cheese (substitute: feta)
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Lime wedges for serving

Method

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
2. In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil and all seasonings until evenly coated
3. Spread on baking sheet in single layer – don’t overcrowd
4. Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Look for golden brown edges and fork-tender texture
5. While cauliflower roasts, whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl
6. Transfer roasted cauliflower to serving dish
7. Drizzle with sauce, sprinkle with Cotija and cilantro
8. Serve immediately with lime wedges

Crucial Tips

• Cut florets into even sizes for uniform cooking
• Don’t skip flipping halfway through
• Cauliflower should be tender but not mushy
• Season generously – cauliflower needs it!

Storage & Reheating

• Store leftovers in airtight container up to 3 days
• Reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes
• Sauce can be made ahead and stored separately

Variations

• Spicy version: Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• Grilled version: Cook on grill pan over medium-high heat
• Dairy-free: Use vegan mayo and nutritional yeast instead of Cotija

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the pan (leads to steaming instead of roasting)
• Under-seasoning
• Overcooking until mushy
• Not letting cheese come to room temperature before crumbling