Fried Cauliflower With Tahini Food

FRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• *** TO PREPARE THE CAULIFLOWER ***.
• Place a large pot with 8 cups water and the salt over high heat. Cover and bring to a rolling boil. Meanwhile, remove all the leaves from around the stem of the cauliflower. Cut the florets off the central stem into 2- 3-inch pieces, keeping them consistent in size.
• Place the florets in the boiling water. Return the water to a rolling boil and cook uncovered, stirring a couple of times, for 5 minutes. Drain, then evenly spread the florets over a flat tray and cool for 30 minutes uncovered. The steamed florets must cool prior to frying or they will fall apart.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat to 375°, using a candy/fry thermometer for accuracy. The oil should be about 1 1/2" deep. Fry 4 to 5 florets at a time until golden brown and the edges are crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined dish. Make sure the temperature of the oil remains at 375° so that the florets fry evenly. Fry the remaining pieces of cauliflower. If you prefer, you can serve the cauliflower steamed.
• *** TO PREPARE THE TAHINI SAUCE ***.
• In a small bowl, mash the garlic and salt to a pulp using a pestle. Add the tahini, lemon juice and water. Whisk until smooth and creamy; the consistency will be like pancake batter.
• Use a spoon to mix in the parsley. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Tahini sauce may thicken once refrigerated. Thin it with lemon juice or water.
• TO SERVE *** Place the tahini sauce in a small bowl in the center of the platter. Arrange the warm or room-temperature cauliflower around the tahini.

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.

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 & 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.

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.

FRIED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Place cauliflower into a pan of lightly salted boiling water. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat, drain and cool.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk with a fork. Place cracker crumbs in a shallow dish. Dip cauliflower in the egg mixture then roll in cracker crumbs.
• Fry coated cauliflower in the hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI-PARSLEY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, and fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the cauliflower. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Drain and blot dry. Transfer to a baking dish.
• Season the cauliflower with salt and pepper, and toss with the olive oil. Place in the oven, and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring from time to time, until tender and lightly browned.
• Puree the garlic cloves with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mortar and pestle. Transfer to a bowl, and whisk in the sesame tahini. Whisk in the lemon juice, beginning with the smaller amount. The mixture will stiffen up. Gradually whisk in up to 1/2 cup water, until the sauce has the consistency of thick cream (or runny yogurt). Stir in the parsley. Taste, and adjust salt and lemon juice. Serve with the cauliflower. You will have some sauce left over.