Crispy Skate With Cauliflower Bacon Capers And Croutons Food

CRISPY SKATE WITH CAULIFLOWER, BACON, CAPERS, AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• For cauliflower:
• Sauté bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add cauliflower to drippings in skillet and sauté until crisp-tender and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, lemon juice, capers, and thyme; simmer 1 minute to blend flavors. Remove from heat.
• For skate:
• Whisk rice flour, Cream of Wheat, and herbs in large shallow bowl to blend. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Coat fish on both sides with flour mixture. Heat oil in another heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish. Sauté until brown and just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side.
• Rewarm cauliflower mixture over medium heat. Mix in bacon and croutons. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon cauliflower mixture into center of 2 plates; top with fish.
• *Available at some supermarkets, specialty foods stores, and natural foods stores.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH CRISPY CAPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the cauliflower in a large bowl with 1/3 cup oil and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper until well coated. Spread out onto 2 rimmed baking sheets. Roast until tender, stirring once or twice, about 30 minutes.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the capers and cook just until they burst and crisp, about 1 minute. Evenly pour over the cauliflower, add the parsley and toss to coat. Season with additional salt and pepper.

CAULIFLOWER AND BACON GRATIN

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 8-inch casserole dish. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a food processor, blend the bread until it forms into crumbs.
• In a large non-stick skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring constantly until all the butter has been absorbed and the bread crumbs are toasted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream and flour. Add the capers, bacon and 1/2 cup of the Gruyere. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the cauliflower and cook for 2 minutes. Drain the cauliflower and toss with the cream mixture. Pour the cauliflower mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
• Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the cheese has melted and the top is golden brown.

CAULIFLOWER AND BACON SOUP

Steps:

• Heat large pot or dutch oven on medium heat, then add bacon to the pan and cook for a few minutes, stirring regularly, until bacon is crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Leave the bacon grease in the pot.
• Add onion and garlic and sauté until onion is soft and translucent.
• Add potato, cauliflower and stock to the pot. Cover pot partially, bring to boil then turn down to simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked.
• Add 3/4 of the bacon bits to the pot (reserving the rest for serving). Puree the soup using either a stick blender or food processor and process until smooth.
• Return soup to pot and place on medium heat. If the soup is too thick, add some more stock. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until soup is heated through.
• Remove from heat, season the soup to taste salt and mix cream through.
• Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining bacon bits, some sprinkled black pepper, shredded cheese and crusty bread, if desired.