Fried Cauliflower With Tahini Sauce Food

TAHINI CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil and canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cauliflower and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is tender and golden in spots, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the tahini, yogurt, pomegranate molasses, cumin, cayenne, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Transfer the cauliflower and garlic to a medium bowl and set aside. Wipe out the skillet and set over low heat.
• Add the tahini mixture and 1/3 cup water to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until smooth and warm, about 3 minutes. Add the cauliflower and garlic and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving platter.
• Combine the sesame seeds and za'atar in a small bowl. Top the cauliflower with the chopped parsley and sesame seed mixture.

FRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI, LABNEH, BABA GHANOUSH

Steps:

• For the labneh: Place the yogurt in a couple layers of cheesecloth and tie with butcher's twine, creating a ball. Tie the cheesecloth to a spoon or utensil over a bowl to let any excess liquid drain. Let sit in the refrigerator overnight.
• For the tahini dipper: Preheat the oil in a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F. Preheat your oven to 475 degrees F.
• Combine the tahini, lemon juice, coriander and cumin with 1/3 cup water in a food processor and blend. Season to taste with salt.
• For the labneh: In a small bowl, combine the oil, parsley, sesame seeds, sumac, thyme and lemon zest, creating your homemade "zaatar" oil.
• Place the labneh in a pretty bowl, then create a divot in the middle. Spoon the zaatar oil in the divot and over the top.
• For the baba ghanoush: Place the eggplants on a baking sheet and roast, turning every 5 minutes, until the skin is blackened and all sides are soft, about 15 minutes. Place in a bowl until cool enough to handle. Cut off the tops and cut the eggplants in half. Spoon out the flesh, separating it from the burnt skin.
• In a food processor, combine the eggplant, tahini, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, sumac and lemon juice until smooth (reserve the zest for the cauliflower). Season to taste with salt.
• For the cauliflower: Fry the cauliflower until brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Toss in a bowl with the ras el hanout, turmeric, parsley, lemon zest and salt.
• Serve with the tahini dipper, baba ghanoush, labneh and pita chips.

FRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH LEMON TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the yoghurt, tahini, cumin, olive oil and lemon juice in a food processor-process for 10 seconds or until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and turmeric in a bowl and stir until combined.
• Place the oil in a wok or frying pan and heat over medium heat. Toss a few pieces of cauliflower in the flour mixture, then cook in the hot oil 5-6 until evenly golden turning often. Drain on paper towel and repeat until all the cauliflower is used. Spoon over the sauce and serve.

CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. To make the tahini sauce, place the tahini, water, lemon juice, parsley and garlic in a medium bowl and stir until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside until serving.
• 2. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat (if deep frying - see note below).
• 3. Add half the cauliflower to the hot oil and fry, turning occasionally, for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to drain. Repeat with remaining cauliflower. Place the fried cauliflower on a serving plate and drizzle with the tahini sauce. Serve immediately.
• Notes:.
• The original recipe suggested deep frying the cauliflower but I recommend reducing the oil to make this lower in fat. Alternatively, the cauliflower could be baked in the oven.
• The tahini sauce (step 1) can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept in an airtight container in the fridge.

FRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI & POMEGRANATE MOLASSES

Steps:

• Fill the bottom of a large skillet with about 1/4 inch of oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering and hot. Add the cauliflower and fry until soft and golden brown in spots, turning as needed, 5 to 6 minutes. Use tongs to transfer the cauliflower to a colander and toss with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Drain for a few minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the tahini, 2 tablespoons water, the garlic and a large pinch of salt. Arrange the drained cauliflower on a plate and drizzle with the tahini-garlic sauce and pomegranate molasses. Sprinkle all over with more salt. Serve at room temperature.