Cauliflower Bacon Gratin Food

PARMESAN-HERB CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Slice 1 head cauliflower into florets and halve; spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated parmesan, 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped mixed thyme and rosemary, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast at 425 degrees F, 30 minutes; flip and roast 15 more minutes.

THE BEST CAULIFLOWER EVER

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cauliflower florets and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the cauliflower begins to brown and soften, about 12 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
• While the cauliflower is cooking, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and saute until softened, 1 minute. Add the roasted red pepper and saute for another few minutes, until heated through. Transfer to a blender or mini-chopper and blend. Add the tofu and some salt and pepper and puree until smooth.
• Add the puree and the red pepper flakes to the cauliflower and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the breadcrumbs and sesame seeds and cook another minute. Transfer the cauliflower to a serving dish and serve.

VEGAN CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Put the cauliflower and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cover, bring to a simmer and cook until the cauliflower is fully softened, about 20 minutes. Transfer the cooked cauliflower and all the cooking liquid to a food processor and set aside. Wipe out the saucepan.
• Heat the oil in the saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, miso, mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, cayenne and turmeric until well combined. Gradually whisk in the almond milk, nutritional yeast and brown sugar and bring just to a simmer. Remove from heat.
• Process the cauliflower until smooth. With the food processor running, gradually add the warm almond milk mixture and process until extra creamy.
• Transfer the cauliflower-almond milk mixture to a large saucepan over medium heat, add the vegan Cheddar and stir occasionally until it melts.
• Meanwhile, add the elbow macaroni to the boiling water and cook according to package directions. Strain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
• Add the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine. Stir in some of the reserved pasta cooking liquid to reach your desired consistency. Add salt to taste. Serve hot with hot sauce on the side if using.

FIRE-ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH WHIPPED CHICKPEAS AND CILANTRO PISTOU

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Put a 14-inch cast-iron pan in the oven while it preheats.
• For the cilantro pistou: Combine the cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, 1 to 2 cloves garlic (depending on how spicy you like it), 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a blender. Turn on medium speed and drizzle in the olive oil to combine. Blend until it has a smooth consistency. Adjust with olive oil for desired thickness, or flavor with more salt and lemon as needed. Add the chile flakes, if using.
• Add the cauliflower and blended oil to a large bowl. Generously season with salt and toss to combine. Carefully pour into the preheated cast-iron pan and put back in the oven. Roast on the middle rack until brown and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Crank the heat to broil for last 2 minutes for added color, if desired. (It should have color and be tender but retain a bit of crunch.)
• For the whipped chickpeas: Meanwhile, strain the chickpeas, reserving the liquid in a separate bowl. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup reserved chickpea liquid (aquafaba) and blend on high for about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. Add a bit more aquafaba (approximately 2 tablespoons) if the machine is struggling, then add 1 tablespoon at a time of water (up to 1/4 cup) until smooth and light. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the dukkah spice: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, sunflower seeds and fennel seeds to a small food processor and pulse until just combined. (Do not overprocess.) Add to a cast-iron skillet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and season with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Generously spread the pillowy chickpea mixture on a platter. Top with the roasted cauliflower, then drizzle over the cilantro pistou and sprinkle generously with the dukkah.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER BITES

Steps:

• For the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the cauliflower, olive oil, garlic and salt in a large bowl. Place in an ovenproof skillet or rimmed baking sheet and roast until golden and tender, about 20 minutes.
• For the saffron beurre blanc: Combine the white wine, cream, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice in a medium skillet over medium heat. Bring to a low simmer, then add the salt and saffron. Slowly whisk in the butter, one piece at a time, to emulsify into a sauce. Pour the sauce through a strainer and set aside.
• Arrange the roasted cauliflower on a platter. Place the cilantro around the cauliflower. Dot with sriracha (more or less to your taste). Drizzle with a few tablespoons beurre blanc (extra beurre blanc will keep in the refrigerator up to 2 days).