Cauliflower Chickpea Pilaf Food

CAULIFLOWER & CHICKPEA PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, non-stick pan and add the onions. Cook over a medium heat for 5 mins until starting to turn golden. Stir in the curry paste and cook for 1 min. Add the rice, cauliflower and chickpeas, stirring to coat in the paste.
• Pour in the stock and stir. Cover and simmer for 10-15 mins until the rice and cauliflower are tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the almonds and coriander, then serve.

CHICKPEA PILAF

Steps:

• Chop garlic, onions and mushrooms. Combine and set aside.
• Combine rice, chickpeas, tomatoes, cayenne, thyme and water and set aside.
• Coat bottom of large covered frying pan or dutch oven (at least 5 quarts)with oil.
• Add garlic, onion and mushrooms. Cook until onion is soft, adding small amounts of water as needed to prevent sticking.
• Add chickpea mixture and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is gone.
• Add peas and heat through.

HARISSA CAULIFLOWER PILAF

Steps:

• Wash the rice really well, then leave to soak in cold water for 1 hr. Put the onion in a small bowl and toss with the lemon juice, the sugar and a pinch of salt. Leave to pickle while you make the pilaf.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Whisk 2 tbsp harissa, the garlic and oil in a large bowl, then add the cauliflower and toss to coat in the sauce. Season, then tip into a roasting tin and roast for 30 mins until tender and golden.
• Meanwhile, mix the saffron, bay leaves, stock and 2 tbsp harissa in a pan over a very low heat to keep warm while the cauli roasts.
• Remove the cauli from the oven, tip into a dish and squeeze over the juice from one of the lemon wedges. Drain the rice and tip into the roasting tin. Pour over the infused stock, and mix well. Stir in the sultanas, half the almonds, the dill, chickpeas, and half the cauliflower. Cover the tin with a double layer of foil, sealing well, then bake for 30 mins until the rice is tender and stock is absorbed.
• Fluff up the rice with a fork, then fold in the remaining cauliflower (this creates a contrast of cauli textures). Scatter over the extra dill, the remaining almonds, the pomegranate seeds, if using, the pickled red onions and remaining lemon wedges to squeeze over.