Mashed Coconut CrÈme Cauliflower With Lemongrass Ginger And Cilantro Food

CREAMY MASHED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cover cauliflower with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, until cauliflower is tender 10-12 minutes; drain and return to pan., Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Immediately remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer; discard peppercorns, garlic and bay leaf., Add cream mixture to cauliflower. Mash to reach desired consistency.

MASHED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the cauliflower, milk, garlic, thyme and 1 teaspoon salt; heat over medium-high. When the mixture begins to bubble around the edges (you don't want it to come to a full boil), reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is very tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place a colander over a bowl, then drain the cauliflower, catching the milk in the bowl. Discard the thyme sprigs. Return the cauliflower and garlic to the pot. Mash the cauliflower using a potato masher, or use an immersion blender to purée until smooth. Add the reserved milk 1 tablespoon at a time, mashing or blending in between, until the cauliflower reaches desired consistency. (You'll use about about 1/4 cup of milk.)
• Stir in the sour cream, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with additional thyme leaves.

GINGER-CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add the lemongrass and half the ginger and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cauliflower, potato and garlic, then add the stock. Bring to a boil over high, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the cauliflower and potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon ginger with the scallions, cilantro, vinegar, lime zest and juice, honey and the remaining 1/4 cup grapeseed oil. Whisk together and season with salt. Set aside. The relish will marinate and the scallions soften as it sits.
• Remove and discard the lemongrass stalk from the soup. Using an immersion blender (or working in batches in a traditional blender), purée the soup until smooth. Add additional water, if needed, to thin the soup. Season to taste with salt.
• Serve the soup topped with the ginger-scallion relish, and serve with a slice of buttered toast.

MASHED COCONUT CRÈME CAULIFLOWER WITH LEMONGRASS GINGER AND CILANTRO.

Steps:

• Peel ginger, cut cilantro stems away from tops and cut lemongrass stalks into four quarters. In a med size pot place quartered lemongrass stalks, ginger skins and cilantro stems in water. Bring to boil then simmer. Lemongrass stalks will release small amount of dirt. Carefully ladle liquid to a bowl leaving lemongrass, cilantro stems, ginger skins and any dirt behind. Remove pot's contents and return to burner. Add liquid back pot along with cauliflower and simmer. Peel back outer layers of several of the lemongrass pieces till the core is found. Finely chop the lemongrass cores along with cilantro leaves. When cauliflower softens, remove any remaining liquid and remove from heat. Mash cauliflower adding the chopped lemongrass cores and cilantro. Season with white or pink pepper and salt. Fold in mixed coconut milk and crème.

COCONUT CREAM-FILLED MACAROONS

Steps:

• Stir together coconut, granulated sugar, egg whites, coconut extract, and salt in a large bowl. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Form heaping teaspoons of dough into balls; space 1 1/2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Gently flatten to about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges begin to turn golden, 9 to 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; let cool completely.
• Put butter, cream of coconut, and shortening in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add confectioners sugar and coconut extract; mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Place a heaping teaspoon of filling on the bottom of one cookie. Sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Transfer to a platter; cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until filling is firm, about 30 minutes. Let stand at room temperature 10 minutes before serving. Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in airtight containers at room temperature up to 3 days.