Cauliflower Chevre Tartlets With Candied Beets Food

CHICKEN-FRIED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• For the gravy: Melt the butter, in a medium saucepan, over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour, and cook, whisking, until the flour is smooth and a deep golden brown, about 7 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer until the mixture thickens, whisking to remove any lumps, 4 to 6 minutes. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Remove from the heat, cover to keep warm. Reheat before serving, adding water by the tablespoon to thin it, as desired. Stir in the chives right before serving.
• For the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Trim the base of the core from the cauliflower and then cut the head into 1-inch-thick slices. Cut any florets that fall off into 1-inch pieces. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper over both sides of each cauliflower slice. Set aside.
• Whisk together the flour, white pepper, baking powder and 2 teaspoons salt in a shallow bowl. Pour in 3 tablespoons of the milk and use your fingers to work it in, making a shaggy flour mixture. Whisk together the eggs and the remaining milk in another shallow bowl. One at a time, dredge each cauliflower steak, and the 1-inch pieces, in the flour mixture, dip in the egg mixture, and then return to the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat. Transfer the breaded steaks to a rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Set another rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Heat about 1-inch of oil in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Fry the steaks, one at a time, with some of the smaller pieces until golden brown, turning once, about 5 minutes (return the oil to 350 degrees F between each steak). Transfer the finished cauliflower steaks to the rack on the baking sheet, season lightly with salt and keep warm in the oven while you continue frying the remaining cauliflower in batches.
• Serve hot with the warm gravy.

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER ALFREDO

Steps:

• 1. Put the cauliflower, broth, and 1 cup water in a small pot; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Adjust the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the cauliflower is very soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool 5 minutes. Carefully puree cauliflower and all the liquid in a blender until very smooth; set aside.
• 2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, 8 minutes. Drain well, reserving about 1 cup pasta cooking water.
• 3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the cauliflower puree and evaporated milk and bring to a simmer. Cook until slightly thickened, 5 minutes and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the peas until heated through, 2 minutes. Toss in the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese and about 1/2 cup of pasta water until the noodles are coated but the sauce is still loose. Remove from the heat and toss in the butter, chopped parsley and lemon zest. (If the sauce seems thick, adjust the consistency with the remaining pasta water). Serve immediately sprinkled with chopped parsley.

CAULIFLOWER MASH

Steps:

• Bring an inch of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Place the cauliflower in a steamer basket set over the boiling water. Cover and steam for about 5 minutes, until the florets are fork tender. Transfer the florets to a high-powered blender or food processor.
• Add the garlic, cheese, heavy cream, butter, salt and pepper to the cauliflower. Blend until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. After 1 minute, if there are still chunks, use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides, then process again until light, fluffy and completely smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
• Let the mash sit for 2 minutes to settle. Top with chives and serve with extra butter.

CAULIFLOWER "MAC" AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a baking dish with butter.
• Cook the cauliflower in the boiling water until just crisp-tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well.
• In a large saucepan, heat the milk and butter over medium heat. Whisk in the dry mustard and add some hot sauce, salt and pepper. Just before the milk comes to a boil, turn off the heat and stir in the pepper jack and goat cheese. When melted and smooth, stir in the cauliflower. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle over the Parmesan.
• Bake until the top is golden brown and the mixture is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.