Blistered Cauliflower With Garlic Chili And Anchovy Food

BLISTERED CAULIFLOWER WITH GARLIC, CHILI, AND ANCHOVY

Steps:

• Breadcrumbs, part 1: Preheat broiler. Position the oven rack two rungs from the top. Place torn bread on a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer, then place sheet under the broiler. Cook 4-5 minutes, until bread is dried out and lightly toasted. Remove and set aside.
• Cauliflower: With the broiler still on, heat a rimmed baking sheet on the same rack under the broiler. Meanwhile, cut the cauliflower into quarters, then into ¼-inch slices. Break up the larger pieces (don't worry if smaller pieces fall off). Place the cut cauliflower into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the salt over the bowl from a height of 8-10 inches. Toss cauliflower and place on the pre-heated baking sheet in an even layer. Return the sheet to the broiler and cook 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so to allow color to develop.
• Garlic paste: Smash the garlic clove with the flat side of a knife, then finely chop it. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and continue chopping. Place the heel of your hand on top of the flat side of the knife and smash the garlic-salt mixture. The mixture will look wet as it releases oils; after a minute, it will become smooth, yielding garlic paste. Put into a small jar and set aside.
• Anchovy paste: Just as you did with the garlic, finely chop the anchovies, sprinkle on ½ teaspoon salt, then chop the salt and anchovies together. Again, use the flat side of the knife to smash the mixture into a paste, then add it to the jar along with the garlic paste.
• Dressing: To the garlic and anchovy paste, add ¼ cup olive oil, chili flakes, and lemon zest. Cover and shake, about 30 seconds. Taste to adjust seasonings and set aside.
• Breadcrumbs, part 2: Place the dried bread between two sheets of parchment paper in an even layer. Using a rolling pin, roll over the top layer of parchment paper and crush the bread to a medium consistency. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a medium skillet over medium-low heat. When oil is hot and shimmering, add the breadcrumbs, toss to coat, and toast, 3-4 minutes. Season with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
• Assemble: Put the blistered cauliflower in a large bowl. Toss with half of the dressing. (The rest will keep in the covered jar up to a week; use on fish, grilled vegetables, or as the base of a vinaigrette.) Then place the cauliflower back on the baking sheet and put under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. To serve, place the cauliflower on a platter and top with breadcrumbs and parsley.

CAULIFLOWER WITH GARLIC AND ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Separate the cauliflower into florets.
• Bring a large pan of water to a boil and add a generous amount of salt and the bay leaf.
• Add the cauliflower for 2-3 minutes to blanch, then drain and set aside.
• Chop the celery stalks finely and set aside.
• Chop the leaves (if using) separately and set aside.
• Heat 3 Tbs of the oil in a large skillet.
• Add the celery stalks and sautee for 1 minute.
• Add the cauliflower and re-season with salt.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes over medium-high heat, without stirring -- you want the cauliflower to brown.
• If needed, added more oil (I generally don't), then the anchovies and cook for 2-3 minutes more.
• Add the garlic, stir well, and cook for another 30 seconds -- you don't want the garlic to burn.
• Remove from the heat and add the celery leaves, if you are using them.
• Add the lemon juice and re-season with salt and pepper.
• Add Tabasco if using, to taste.
• May be served hot or at room temperature, either as a vegetarian entree or as a side dish -- Enjoy!

WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH ANCHOVY SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C/gas 6. Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and set aside to use later. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and blanch the cauliflower for 4-5 mins. Drain well.
• Put the cauliflower in a roasting tin and drizzle all over with olive oil. Season well and roast for 40-50 mins until tender and golden.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Drizzle a little oil in a pan and gently fry the shallots for 10 mins until softened. Add half the garlic and the chilli flakes and cook for a minute more. Add the anchovies and let them dissolve, then add the tomatoes and stock.
• Season and cook for 10-15 mins until the tomatoes have broken down. Add the cream and bubble for another minute.
• Heat the butter in a separate pan with the rest of the garlic and fry the cauliflower leaves with plenty of seasoning. Serve the cauliflower on the buttery leaves, with the anchovy sauce spooned over the top.