Cauliflower Chaat Salad With Tamarind Date Chocolate Chutney Food

CAULIFLOWER CHAAT

Steps:

• Sprinkle the cauliflower with the chilli powder. Put a steamer on the hob or place a colander in a pan with 5cm water in the bottom and steam the cauliflower for 5 mins until just tender.
• Blend all the marinade ingredients in a food processor, rub them over the cauliflower, then leave to marinate for 1 hr.
• Cook the cauliflower on a medium-hot barbecue with the lid on until cooked through (check by inserting a small knife into the stem), making sure the cauliflower doesn't directly touch the flames and burn. (Or heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and cook on a baking tray for 10-15 mins until cooked through.)
• Put the cauliflower on a plate and coat all over with the yogurt. Zig-zag the green chutney over, then sprinkle the pomegranate seeds, coriander and fried shallots on top.

CAULIFLOWER CHAAT FOR ONE

Steps:

• Cook the cauliflower: Heat the oil in a sauté pan on high heat, until the oil starts to smoke in small wisps. Add the cauliflower florets and lower the heat to medium-high. Sprinkle with salt and allow the florets to brown in the pan, then stir and turn the heat down to medium. Cook for another minute, then add ginger and jalapeño. Stir well, add cilantro, lemon juice and chaat masala, and stir again. Remove pan from heat.
• Prepare the sauce: Place all ingredients plus 2 tablespoons water in a small food processor and purée until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides and get everything incorporated. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle sauce over the cauliflower and sprinkle with almonds. Serve with rice or flatbread.

TAMARIND - DATE CHUTNEY ( SWEET INDIAN CHUTNEY)

Steps:

• Place the jaggery, dates and water in a deep boiling pan for about 2 hours.
• After the dates become smooth, blend in a mixer till smooth.
• Strain and transfer to the pan again.
• Add the tamarind paste and seasoning.
• Boil till thick enough to coat the back of a spoon thinly.
• Cool again. Store in clean airtight bottles and refrigerate.
• Shelf life of about a month in the refrigerator.
• * Here, I have used tamarind paste. But in case you do not have tamarind, soak the tamarind in water and extract its paste.
• What I usually do is use dry tamarind powder which I get from Indian grocery stores.