Cauliflower Cheese Sticks

Cheesy garlic bread is an amazing comfort food that Ryan and I have been craving so we thought we'd find a healthier version to satisfy our craving without sacrificing our waistlines.

Serves: 4 (2 cheese sticks)

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 40 min

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cauliflower florets

• Hot water

• ¾ cup shredded, part-skim, low moisture mozzarella cheese, divided use

• ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese, divided use

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• ½ tsp. + 1 pinch sea salt (or Himalayan salt), divided use

• 1 Tbsp. ghee (organic grass-fed, if possible)

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

Special Equipment: Parchment paper, Non-stick cooking spray, cheesecloth

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400º F

2. Line a 9 x 9-inch casserole dish with parchment paper. Lightly coat with spray

3. Place cauliflower in food processor (or blender); pulse until it resembles rice, seven to ten 1-second pulses

4. Boil water in steamer or large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high. Place cauliflower in steamer basket; cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until just tender. Transfer cauliflower to cheesecloth to cool. Squeeze dry

5. Combine cooled cauliflower, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, and ½ tsp. salt in a medium mixing bowl; mix well

6. Transfer cauliflower mixture to casserole dish; press down and out with fingertips, spreading until it forms one even layer that fills bottom of the dish

7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cauliflower has set in the center and browned around the edges

8. While cauliflower is baking, heat ghee and garlic in small saucepan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until garlic just begins to brown. Remove from heat; allow ghee to infuse

9. Remove cauliflower from oven; brush with infused ghee and sprinkle with remaining pinch of salt, remaining ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, and remaining 1 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

10. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted

11. Allow to cool to room temperature. Remove from dish. Slice into eight 1 x 6-inch sticks

12. Serve and enjoy!

Note: If you do not have cheesecloth, use a heavy-duty paper towel to cool and squeeze dry the cauliflower “crumbs.”

We prefer to dip our cheese sticks in tzatziki sauce or by mixing plain greek yogurt and salsa together.

We hope you like this healthy version of bread/cheese sticks. Please share and comment below!