Cauliflower Veloute With American Caviar Food

CREAMY ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. If desired, line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• On the baking sheet, toss the cauliflower with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil until lightly and evenly coated in oil. Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer and sprinkle lightly with salt. Bake until the cauliflower is tender and caramelized on the edges, 25 to 35 minutes, tossing halfway.
• Once the cauliflower is almost done, in a Dutch oven or soup pot, warm the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and turning translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds, then add the broth.
• Reserve 4 of the prettiest roasted cauliflower florets for garnish. Then transfer the remaining cauliflower to the pot. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes, to give the flavors time to meld.
• Once the soup is done cooking, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, carefully transfer the hot soup to a blender, working in batches if necessary. (Do not fill past the maximum fill line or the soup could overflow!)
• Add the butter and blend until smooth. Add the lemon juice and nutmeg and blend again. Add additional salt, to taste (I usually add another 1/4 to 3/4 teaspoon, depending on the broth). This soup tastes amazing once it's properly salted! You can also a little more lemon juice, if it needs more zing. Blend again.
• Top individual bowls of soup with 1 roasted cauliflower floret and a sprinkle of chopped parsley, green onion and/or chives. This soup keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for about four days, or for several months in the freezer.

CAULIFLOWER VELOUTE WITH AMERICAN CAVIAR

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Measure out 3 cups cauliflower florets and set aside. Using the remaining florets and stems, add 8 cups cauliflower, heavy cream, and stock; stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover, simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add reserved cauliflower florets; cook, stirring, until cauliflower is tender and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Transfer cauliflower-cream mixture to the jar of a blender; carefully blend until smooth. Return soup to saucepan and bring to simmer; add lemon juice and cayenne pepper.
• Divide soup evenly among 24 small serving cups. Garnish each with reserved sauteed cauliflower florets, 1/4 teaspoon caviar, and a small tarragon leaf; serve immediately.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH SEARED SCALLOPS, LEMON OIL, AND AMERICAN CAVIAR

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add cauliflower, broth, and cream. Bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and simmer gently until cauliflower is tender, about 18 minutes. Puree soup in small batches in blender until smooth. Return to same saucepan. Season soup with kosher salt and white pepper. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Cover and chill. Rewarm before serving.
• Blanch leek in small saucepan of boiling salted water 1 minute; drain. Place some of leek in center of each bowl. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in medium skillet over high heat. Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper. Sear until brown and just opaque in center, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Place 1 scallop on leek in each bowl; top scallop with caviar. Ladle soup around scallop, drizzle with 1 teaspoon lemon oil, and sprinkle with chives.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH SEARED SCALLOPS, LEMON OIL AND CAVIAR

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add cauliflower, broth, and cream. Bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and simmer gently until cauliflower is tender, about 18 minutes.
• Puree soup in small batches in blender until smooth. Return to same saucepan. Season soup with kosher salt and white pepper.
• Do ahead: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Cover and chill. Rewarm before serving.
• Blanch leek in small saucepan of boiling salted water 1 minute; drain. Place some of leek in center of each bowl.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in medium skillet over high heat. Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper. Sear until brown and just opaque in center, about 1 1/2 minutes per side.
• Place 1 scallop on leek in each bowl; top scallop with caviar. Ladle soup around scallop, drizzle with 1 teaspoon lemon oil, and sprinkle with chives.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER STEAKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut off the cauliflower stems, then place the heads cut-side down and slice into 1/2-inch-thick steaks. Arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides. Transfer to the oven and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes, flipping after the first 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the pine nuts to a dry medium saute pan and toast over medium heat until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add the raisins and butter and season with salt. Cook, tossing, until the butter has melted and coats the pine nuts and raisins. Off the heat, stir in the parsley.
• Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a serving platter. Pour the pine nut-raisin mixture over the top. Season with salt.

CAULIFLOWER PURéE AND CAVIAR ON CLOVERLEAF POTATO CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Peel potatoes and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Cut 2 potatoes lengthwise into 1/8- to 1/16-inch-thick slices with slicer, then stack slices in piles of 6. Cut out as many cloverleafs as possible from each stack, pressing cutter through stacks, and toss with half of melted butter in a bowl. Arrange chips in 1 layer in a large shallow baking pan (1 inch deep) and season very lightly with salt.
• Bake in middle of oven until edges are pale golden, 10 to 15 minutes, then turn chips over with a metal spatula and bake until golden all over, 5 to 10 minutes more, checking frequently after 5 minutes and transferring chips as baked to a rack to cool.
• While first batch is baking, slice and cut shapes from remaining 2 potatoes. Toss with remaining butter and bake in another shallow baking pan.
• Cook cauliflower in a 3-quart saucepan of until very tender, 5 to 7 minutes, and drain in a colander. Purée cauliflower in a food processor until smooth, then transfer to a bowl and whisk in sour cream and salt. Just before serving, stir in chives (if using).
• Top potato chips with 1 teaspoon cauliflower purée and 1/2 teaspoon caviar, then garnish with chives.

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH SAUTéED WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Put the cauliflower, potato and onion in a large saucepan with the butter and half of the oil. Gently heat the contents until they start to sizzle, then cover with a lid and sweat over a low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The vegetables should be softened but not coloured.
• Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, then pour in the milk and return gently to a boil. This way, there will be no scum forming from the milk. Season to taste then simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Pour in half the cream.
• Blend everything in a food processor or blender, in batches. For an extra creamy texture, push the purée through a sieve with the back of a ladle. Stir in the rest of the cream. (If preparing ahead cool, cover and chill for up to a day.)
• To serve, pick over the mushrooms. Wild mushrooms can be gritty so wash them quickly in a bowl of cold water then drain well and pat dry. Trim the stalks and chop or slice the mushrooms neatly. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and, when very hot, stir fry the mushrooms quickly until nicely browned, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as you cook them.
• Reheat the soup until piping hot. Check for seasoning and ladle into warmed bowls. Spoon the mushrooms into the centre and sprinkle lightly with the chives. Italy's elegant, mildly citrussy whites, such as Vernaccia di San Gimignano, or a Chardonnay would suit this rich soup.

EASIEST CHEESIEST CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Wash the cauliflower and break into florets.
• Steam until still crisp, but just starting to soften.
• Drain well (let sit in colander for 5 mins.) and place in an ovenproof dish.
• Pour the cream into the bottom of the dish.
• Place enough cheese slices to completely cover on top of the cauliflower.
• Place in the oven, uncovered with whatever else you are making (or at 350-400 degrees) and bake for 15 minutes, stirring every five minutes.
• If the resulting sauce seems too thick, add an extra splash of cream, if too runny, let sit a few minutes.