Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut away the cauliflower leaves and dense central core, then divide into small florets. Split larger pieces so their stems cook with the smaller florets. Have the cooked eggs, diced drained pickles, mayonnaise, and chopped parsley ready.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a generous pinch of salt. Add the florets and cook until the thicker stems are tender to a fork while the florets still hold their shape, about fifteen minutes or as needed. Avoid a hard raw center or cooking until they fall apart.
- Drain in a colander, then spread on a paper-towel-lined platter to cool and release surface water. Wait until the cauliflower is cool throughout before mixing with mayonnaise.
- In a large bowl, combine the measured dressing salt, pepper, paprika, pickles, prepared mustard, cooked eggs, mayonnaise, and parsley. Fold until the seasonings and chopped pieces are distributed. All measured paprika and parsley go into the dressing.
- Add the cooled cauliflower and fold gently from the bottom until coated. Keep florets and chopped egg/pickle pieces rather than beating into a puree. Do not add leftover pickle brine.
- Cover and refrigerate one hour before serving. Serve cold and keep remaining salad refrigerated.
Notes
Timing: Allow about ten minutes preparation, fifteen minutes cooking, and one hour chilling, for an hour and twenty-five minutes plus cauliflower cooling time. Begin with cooked eggs and completed mayonnaise; their separate preparation is not included.
Cauliflower: Cook until the thicker stems are tender but the florets hold their shape. Drain thoroughly and cool throughout before folding into the dressing. The size of your cauliflower heads affects the amount of salad in the bowl.
Pickles: Count the displayed number of spears before dicing, not whole pickles or thin rounds. Drain first; no extra brine goes into the dressing. Choose plain dill pickles without added sugar.
Mustard and mayonnaise: Use prepared spicy brown mustard rather than dry powder and the completed avocado-oil mayonnaise. Keep the florets cool so the cold mayonnaise stays unheated.
Seasoning: The displayed salt amount is for the dressing, with an additional pinch for the boiling water. All measured paprika and parsley go into the mixture; no extra garnish is needed.
GAPS: Full GAPS after the ingredients are introduced. Dairy-free with the linked avocado-oil mayonnaise. Contains eggs, mustard, and paprika; not an early Intro or No-Plant preparation.
Storage: Keep covered and refrigerated. Use within 3–4 days when made with fresh ingredients, and account for the age of cooked eggs and mayonnaise already prepared. Keep packed portions cold with a cold pack.
Scaling: 2× doubles all nine measured amounts for sixteen side servings. Cook in batches if needed and use enough bowl space for gentle folding. Every batch needs draining, cooling, and the hour of chilling.