Sweet and sour use to be a favorite choice when making Asian stir-fries. Often I used chicken, pork or shrimp dipped in cornstarch and fried in hot oil. Then I would serve it with cooked green pepper pieces, onion wedges, carrot coins and pineapple pieces in a sweet and sour sauce, usually over a bed of rice. Over time I cut the sugar amount back and played with the different ingredients, often using what I had on hand.
I made this recipe three times; first with just cauliflower, then I added some vegetables and pineapple. I was just thinking about posting this recipe when I was at my local grocery recently and the produce department was full of fresh pineapples.
A light went on and so I made it again and served it in this pineapple bowl. The third time was a charm and it was especially good because you can scrape out part of the bowl as you are eating to get more of a “fruity flavor”. Also, the portion size was great as I always seem to eat more than I should when it’s served on a plate.
I first made this recipe using just cauliflower drizzled in oil, then coated in cornstarch and roasted (to replace the meat).
Much better with the addition of onions, carrots, green peppers and pineapple.
Even better served in a pineapple bowl…
Roasted Cauliflower, Onions, Green Peppers and Carrots in a Pineapple Bowl With a Sweet and Sour Sauce
This is a perfect recipe to make as you just need to cut up the vegetables and roast them. The sauce is quick and easy to put together and of course cutting up the pineapple to make “bowls”. I often make a big batch of rice and keep it in the refrigerator for when I need it.
Pineapple Bowls:
Fresh pineapple do not keep very long so buy them when you are ready to cook. I laid the pineapple on its side and placed it on a kitchen towel to keep the pineapple stable. Using a chefs knife carefully cut in half. Cube the fresh pineapple with a smaller knife – you will have to slice under the chunks as well. Clean out the bowl and enjoy eating the scraps! I also trimmed the top to make it neater and to fit on the oval plates I was using.
- cauliflower florets
- enough vegetable oil to lightly coat the cauliflower (2-3 tbsp.)
- enough corn starch to coat only the cauliflower
- onion wedges
- carrot coins
- green pepper pieces
- fresh pineapple, sliced in half and cube the fruit
- rice (or noodles) of your choice
- scallions, thinly sliced to garnish
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a large baking sheet. Place the cauliflower in a bowl and drizzle vegetable oil over it and stir. Add the cornstarch and stir to coat well. Place the cauliflower on the baking sheet. Prepare the carrot coins and onion wedges and toss with olive oil. Roast for 20 minutes, then add the pepper pieces (you can add the pineapple chunks if you want) and roast another 10 minutes. until lightly browned. Remove to a bowl and add the sauce.
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 1/8 cup sugar (to taste)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 cup low-sugar ketchup
- 1 tbsp. Thai chili sauce (to taste as it is hot)
- 1 tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp. water
Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan except for the cornstarch mixture. Bring to a boil and then add the cornstarch and water; stir until thickened.
Place in a pineapple “bowl” and serve with Gandy Dancer Rice
Comment: I didn’t miss the meat!!!
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Such a refreshing dish! Love the use of cauliflower this way, and the pineapple bowl. Makes it feel like you’re on a tropical island! 🙂
A fresh pineapple is a perfect vessel to serve this dish. It was fun to do and I loved it – didn’t miss the meat – shrimp would have been nice though 🙂
I do like the idea of shrimps! 🙂
I just Love love love this recipe. Cauliflower is a favorite vegetable and I think would be delicious in a sweet-and-sour sauce. How creative to serve it in a pineapple boat! This will be on my list of meals to serve to company for sure.
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It really is delicious – you can use any veggies and your sweet and sour sauce if desired. I like roasting the vegetables – always gives additional great flavor. Hope you try it 🙂
I am so jealous of such a scrumptious pineapple bowl. 🌴🍍
It was beyond scrumptious – fun to eat out of and dig out the extra fresh fruit 🙂
Beautiful presentation and a lovely recipe!!
Thanks for such a nice compliment – I was hungry so tried to style it as best as I could. I should have put the extra in a clean bowl 🙂
What fun! I haven’t eaten out of a pineapple bowl in years and when I did I think it was a dessert for two. Your pineapple bowl offering looks very festive and tasty.
Thanks Ron – I can see a banana split in a pineapple bowl… it was one of my husband’s favorite desserts 🙂
Gorgeous! So pretty of a presentation. And it truly sounds really good…
Thanks very much Mimi – it takes a little work to get the pineapple ready but it was worth it. It’s a nice sauce that you can sweeten to taste as well as kick up the heat 🙂
This sweet and sour capsicum, cauliflower looks INSANELY delicious and the presentation is simply awesome
Thanks Rahul – somehow serving it in a pineapple bowl made it taste better. It’s a keeper when the pineapples are in season.