Caramelized Cauliflower Food

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER WITH SAGE

Steps:

• Remove the green outer leaves and cut cross sections of the cauliflower into ½-inch (1¼-cm) thick slices. Remove any parts of the fibrous core of the cauliflower that remain.
• Transfer the slices to a large, straight-sided skillet and add enough cold water to come halfway up the sides of the cauliflower, about ¼-inch (6mm) deep. Add the butter, sugar, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Cook over high heat until the water evaporates and the cauliflower is golden brown on one side, 10-12 minutes. After the cauliflower begins to caramelize, reduce the heat to low.
• Pick and slice the sage leaves. Once the cauliflower is deeply browned and the sugar has caramelized, rotate the slices to promote even browning. After a few moments, flip the cauliflower to cook the other side, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with sage, hazelnuts, and freshly grated Parmesan.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the head of cauliflower on a cutting board, and slice it top-down into ¼-inch slices, some of which will crumble.
• Toss cauliflower in a large bowl with plenty of olive oil and a bit of salt, spread it in a single layer on a heavy sheet pan (or two, if one looks crowded), and roast until golden brown and caramelized, turning bits and slices once or twice, about 25 minutes. Devour.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER PLAIN AND FANCY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the cauliflower in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle over the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Roast until the cauliflower is lightly caramelized, turning once, about 30 minutes. Serve as is for the plain version or proceed with the variation below for the fancy version.
• Heat a small pan, and then add olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Saute for 30 seconds. Add the capers and raisins and cook for another minute.
• Drizzle the caramelized cauliflower with the caper mixture and parsley and toss to coat well. Serve warm or at room temperature.

LEMON GRILLED SALMON WITH CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER AND HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the salt, sugar and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Combine both lemon zests and coat the salmon fillets with the zest. Pour a thin layer of salt/sugar mixture on a cookie sheet limed with parchment. Place the salmon fillets on the salt/sugar mix. Pour the remaining mixture over the salmon. Allow to sit refrigerated for 2-1/2 hours. Rub the cure off the salmon using dry paper towels. Do not rinse. Split the salmon fillets in half horizontally. Grill the salmon, turning once, until cooked to desired doneness.
• Cauliflower: Slice the cauliflower into 3/4-inch slices from the top to bottom. Chop any excess cauliflower into 1/4-inch pieces. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over a medium-low flame until hot. Brush the cauliflower slices on one side with grapeseed oil and place in the hot skillet oiled side down. Saute until well browned (approximately 8 minutes). Brush the exposed side of the cauliflower slices and turn over. Saute until well browned. Season with salt and pepper, remove from skillet and keep warm. Add the chopped cauliflower to the skillet and saute with the remaining oil until well browned. Set aside for herb salad.
• Herb Salad: Combine the salmon (chicken) glaze and lemon juice in a hand held blender cup. Slowly add the lemon oil, while blending. Season with salt and pepper. Mix the herbs, reserved cauliflower and lemon zest with 2 tablespoons of dressing. Set aside.
• To plate: Place equal portions of sliced cauliflower in the center of 4 warm plates. Place a grilled salmon fillet over each cauliflower slice and top with herb salad. Sauce the plate with the remaining salmon dressing. Yield: 4 servings
• Put chicken stock in a medium sauce pot over a medium low flame. Simmer to reduce until thick enough to lightly coat a spoon.

ROASTED AND PUREED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• On a sheet tray, spread 1/4 of the florets with the oil, season with salt and bake until caramelized, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, combine remaining cauliflower, milk and half a teaspoon of salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a simmer, cover, and cook until cauliflower is tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Strain cauliflower from milk mixture, reserving both. Transfer cauliflower to a blender. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and butter to the blender. Add half of the reserved milk liquid. Secure top on blender and puree mixture until smooth. If mixture is too thick, thin by adding some of the remaining liquid. Season, to taste. Serve in a large serving bowl topped with caramelized florets and chives.

GLAZED ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Cut 1 small cauliflower into large florets. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil on a foil-lined baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Roast at 450˚ F, tossing halfway through, until browned and tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Mix 1 tablespoon each Dijon mustard and date syrup and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. Pour over the cauliflower and toss; roast until glazed, 10 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

CAULIFLOWER AND CARAMELIZED ONION TART

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 425°F. Toss cauliflower with 1 tablespoon olive oil in large bowl. Spread on large rimmed baking sheet, spacing apart. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes; turn florets over. Continue roasting until tender, about 25 minutes longer. Cool cauliflower, then thinly slice. Drizzle with truffle oil; toss. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
• Press pie crust onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Line pie crust with foil; fill with pie weights. Bake crust 20 minutes. Remove foil and pie weights; bake until crust is golden, about 5 minutes, pressing crust with back of fork if bubbles form. Cool crust. Maintain oven temperature.
• Heat remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until onion is deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Cool slightly. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Store crust at room temperature. Cover and chill cauliflower and onion separately.
• Brush bottom and sides of crust with mustard. Spread onion in crust. Arrange cauliflower evenly over. Set tart on rimmed baking sheet. Whisk eggs and next 4 ingredients in medium bowl. Stir in Gruyère. Pour mixture over filling in tart pan; sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until tart is golden and center is set, about 40 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool 15 minutes before serving.