Cauliflower Katsu Curry Food

CAULIFLOWER KATSU CURRY

Steps:

• Start by making the pickled salad. Tip all the ingredients into a pan with 1 tsp sea salt and bring to the boil over a medium heat. Remove from the heat, tip into a bowl and cover until needed.
• Combine the coconut milk, lime juice, garlic and 2 tsp salt in a wide, deep dish to make a marinade. Cut two 2.5cm steaks from the middle of each cauliflower, slicing through the central stalk so they hold together. Place the steaks and any large florets into the marinade, rubbing it in so they're well-coated. Cover and leave at room temperature until needed. The steaks can be put in the marinade up to 2 hrs ahead.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Sprinkle the flour onto a plate and the breadcrumbs onto another. Shake off any excess marinade from the cauliflower steaks, place in the flour and turn to coat evenly. Return the steaks to the marinade, then turn to coat in the breadcrumbs. Arrange on a baking tray lined with baking parchment and drizzle with a little coconut oil. Bake for 35-40 mins until browned, turning over halfway through the cooking time.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and fry the onions, carrots and celery (if using) for 8-10 mins until softened. Boil the kettle, then add the garlic, ginger, curry powder and turmeric to the fried veg and stir for 2-3 mins. Pour in the coconut milk, lime juice and 100ml hot water from the kettle. Season, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 mins.
• Blitz the sauce until smooth using a hand blender, or a jug blender. If it's too thick, add a little more water. Season and keep warm. Drain the salad, discarding the pickling liquid.
• Divide the rice between plates, then top with the curry sauce and katsu cauliflower. Serve with the pickled salad, plenty of lime wedges for squeezing over, plus a sprinkling of coriander and a grinding of black pepper, if you like.

CAULIFLOWER CURRY

Steps:

• Heat a wok over a high heat. Add the fenugreek, coriander, cardamom seeds and curry leaves, and toast for 2 mins or until starting to brown and release their aromas. Remove and grind to a powder using a pestle and mortar or spice grinder.
• Return the wok to the high heat and add the oil. Add all the spices (including the ones you just ground) and cook for 1 min, then add the ginger, garlic, chilli, onion and 1 1/2 tsp salt, and stir-fry for 5 mins.
• Add the cauliflower, toss with the other ingredients so it's well coated, then stir-fry for 7-10 mins or until it starts to soften. Add the tomatoes and stir-fry for another 3-5 mins or until they start to break down.
• Pour in the coconut milk and cook over a medium heat, stirring, for 15-20 mins until the cauliflower is tender and the sauce has reduced. Squeeze over the lime juice and check for seasoning. Can be made a day ahead - pour in the coconut milk, reduce by half, then leave to cool and keep in the fridge.