Cauliflower And White Bean Brandade Food

CAULIFLOWER AND CANNELLINI BEAN MASH

Steps:

• Put the cauliflower, beans, milk, butter and rosemary in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the cauliflower is fork tender, about 15 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking until the cauliflower is soft, but not mushy, about 10 minutes. Mash with a potato masher, then stir in the grated Parmesan. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a couple turns of pepper. Serve sprinkled with the shaved Parmesan and topped with a fresh rosemary sprig.

CAULIFLOWER-AND-WHITE-BEAN BRANDADE

Steps:

• Place the potatoes, cauliflower, beans and garlic in a food processor and pulse until combined. With the motor running, drizzle in the oil. Transfer to a bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with Cauliflower Fritters and Stilton Rouille (see recipes).

WHITE BEAN BRANDADE

Steps:

• For the beans: Quarter the carrot, onion, and celery. In a 4-quart saucepan, sweat the vegetables and garlic with the bacon for 3 minutes. Add the beans and cover with twice the volume of chicken stock or cold water. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 2 hours or until soft. Remove from heat and cool in liquid. Remove vegetables and bacon, and drain well. Makes about 1 quart of beans. For the brandade: Place the cooked beans, anchovies, Parmesan, garlic, and rosemary in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Add olive oil in a steady stream while blending. Season with salt and freshly cracked white pepper.

KUNG PAO-STYLE CAULIFLOWER & KIDNEY BEANS

Steps:

• Put the peppercorns in a dry frying pan and toast over a medium heat for 3 mins, stirring frequently. Tip onto a plate.
• Put 2 tbsp oil in the frying pan, add the cauliflower and cook over a high heat for 5 mins to colour. Meanwhile, blitz the peppercorns in a small food processor or grind using a pestle and mortar and mix with the cornflour.
• Drizzle the remaining 1 tbsp oil in the pan and add a third of the cornflour mix to coat the cauliflower. Cook for 1 min, then add the garlic, ginger, chilli, three-quarters of the spring onions and 400ml water.
• Cover with a lid or baking tray and boil for a couple of mins. As this cooks, add the maple syrup, soy sauce and vinegar, plus 6 tbsp water, to the remaining cornflour mix in a separate bowl. Stir until smooth and set aside.
• Add the maple cornflour mix to the cauliflower, stirring. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat, add the beans, cover and simmer until the sauce thickens and the cauliflower is tender.
• Tip onto a plate, scatter over the coriander, if using, then top with the remaining spring onions and the peanuts.

SLOW-COOKER CAULIFLOWER, POTATO AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the potatoes, cauliflower, beans, onion, garlic, vegetable stock, butter, wine, thyme, garlic powder and 1½ teaspoons kosher salt. Cover and cook until the vegetables are very tender, about 8 hours on low.
• Remove and discard the thyme sprig, and turn off the slow cooker. Add the lemon juice. To make a completely smooth and creamy soup, purée the ingredients using an immersion blender. (Or, purée the soup in a blender in two batches, transferring the puréed soup to a different pot.) To make a textured, chunky soup, smash the ingredients using a potato masher in the slow cooker. Stir in the sour cream and chives. Taste and add additional salt if necessary. Serve in bowls topped with black pepper, crushed potato chips and shredded Cheddar. For leftovers, gently reheat the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave until it just barely bubbles around the edges; don't let it boil or the sour cream will break.

CAULIFLOWER-WHITE BEAN DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss cauliflower and garlic with 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until cauliflower is tender and browned, 25 to 30 minutes. When garlic is cool enough to handle, remove peel.
• In a food processor, combine cauliflower, garlic, beans, 1 tablespoon oil, lemon zest and juice, and 1/4 cup hot water. Process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve drizzled with oil.

SMOKED FISH AND WHITE BEAN BRANDADE

Steps:

• In a food processor blend beans, fish, and garlic paste until smooth. With motor running add milk in a slow stream. Stir in thyme and salt to taste. Serve brandade with toasts or bell pepper strips.

WHITE BEAN SALAD WITH ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Put cauliflower on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast on the top rack until nicely browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Make the dressing: Put shallot in a small bowl with mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, vinegar and ground fennel, if using. Stir well to combine, then whisk in olive oil. Season to taste.
• Make the salad: Put beans in a low salad bowl. Add celery and cauliflower, pour the dressing over and toss well, taking care not to crush beans. Let salad rest for 30 minutes or so to meld flavors. Taste and adjust for salt, acid and oil. Add parsley and scallions, toss once more, then serve at room temperature.