This month I signed up for a new fun project, the Crazy Ingredient Challenge started by Hungry Little Girl. Each month she will pick two ingredients that don't normally go together and us bloggers will come up with a recipe using those ingredients. Hopefully it's good every time!
This month the challenge was Cauliflower and Chocolate. I've seen cauliflower used in cakes before, and I found recipes for roasted cauliflower dusted with cocoa powder, but I wanted to do something different. That's when it occurred to me.....DUH! Cauliflower, chocolate, and bacon!!
I tried it two different ways, wrapping the cauliflower in bacon and baking it, then drizzling them with dark chocolate, and also dipping raw cauliflower in melted dark chocolate and sprinkling with crumbled bacon then put in the fridge to harden (I was thinking dessert cauliflower here). Well, the second one was quite horrible. Did you know that white chocolate doesn't melt the same way dark and milk chocolate do? I didn't, and that's what I intended to use for the dipped cauliflower, but my white chocolate turned into a hard, crumbly ball! I found out white chocolate burns at a lower temperature than the others because it has a higher sugar content. So, I went with the dark chocolate because I thought it would contrast nicely with the white cauliflower. I should have cooked the cauliflower first, because although I like raw cauliflower, it DID NOT go well with hardened dark chocolate!! Luckily, the first way was much better!
Bacon Wrapped Cauliflower with Dark Chocolate
Note: I used half of a head of cauliflower for this recipe, and the other half for the other recipe. If making for a crowd, use a whole head of cauliflower and 1 pound of bacon.
13 florets uncooked cauliflower, wash and patted dry
Half of a ¾ pound package of bacon, sliced in half
melted good quality dark chocolate ( 86% cacao)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375*F. Cut the cauliflower into large florets. Wrap each floret with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick or skewer. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp.
A few minutes before the cauliflower is done baking, melt the dark chocolate ( I didn't measure how much, because I was using it for both recipes) either in a double boiler or in the microwave. If melting in the microwave, stop it and stir every 30 seconds until fully melted.
Remove bacon wrapped cauliflower from the oven, and drizzle the melted chocolate carefully over each piece. Serve immediately.
These would make a great appetizer for a party, or even a side dish for a special dinner.
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Jutta Lenihan says
Dear lord, not only have you mastered this challenge, but you also have added bacon! I am in love with this recipe and will make it for sure! So delicious! I am literally drooling here!
Bernadette says
Thanks Jutta!!
cynthial1956 says
I bet you had fun trying the different ways to make this recipe! I love the addition of bacon to this recipe!
Bernadette says
I just had too 🙂
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade says
oh yeah, chocolate and bacon they make anything taste good. Cute little bites that would go great for a bbq or dinner.
Bernadette says
I agree chocolate and bacon make anything taste good!
Sarah says
I love your creativity. Your dish reminds me of bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese. Things you would never guess would work together sometimes are the best pairs!
Bernadette says
Ok, now you got me interested in those dates!
Jenni @ Jenni's Ferris Wheel of Food says
This looks great, even though I'm not a bacon fan I'm sure my husband would love it.
Jenni
Jenni's Ferris Wheel of Food
Lori @Lori's Culinary Creations says
I may make this tonight!! Hubby sure loves bacon….. YUM
Bernadette says
So does my husband Lori! And me 🙂
Marlys @ This and That says
This sounds like a wonderful idea... Chocolate and bacon, who could go wrong. I love it.
Bernadette says
Thanks!
Cindy @Hun... What's for Dinner? says
I bet this tastes awesome Bernadette. Some people frown on bacon and chocolate, but I love it. And roasting the cauliflower was brilliant, since it mellows out the taste.
Bernadette says
I have a confession. I don't like dark chocolate at all, unless it's paired with something salty like bacon or salted caramels. The bacon also mellows out the taste of the dark chocolate!