Moroccan Harissa Roast Cauliflower Food

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH HARISSA & CHICKPEA SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the marinade by combining all the ingredients with 1½ tsp sea salt in a mixing bowl and stirring until well combined. Remove any leaves from the cauliflower and slice them lengthways. Put the cauliflower leaf slices in a bowl with a pinch of salt. Set aside for later.
• Cut the cauliflower into thick slices about 1½cm-2cm thick - don't worry if some of the florets break off, it's all being roasted. Oil a large roasting tray and tip in the cauliflower slices and florets. Pour over the marinade and stir to coat, then cover with foil and marinate for at least 2 hrs, but you could leave it in the fridge all day or overnight if you wanted.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roast the cauliflower covered with foil for 40-45 mins. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the olive oil with the cumin seeds in a heavy-bottomed frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and fry, stirring, for 8-10 mins until starting to caramelise. Tip in the chopped tomatoes and some seasoning. Turn the heat up slightly and cook, continuing to stir, for 6-8 mins until reduced, then add in the garlic, harissa and butter, and stir to combine. Blitz in a food processor until smooth, then pour back into the pan, add the chickpeas and cauliflower leaves, and warm through for a minute or two.
• Remove the foil from the cauliflower and return the tray to the oven for 10 mins to caramelise. Stir the tahini and olive oil into the yogurt in a bowl and season. Once the cauliflower is ready, divide the warm sauce between plates, then top with the cauliflower slices and tahini yogurt. Scatter over the almonds. Serve with a well-dressed salad of crunchy leaves.

HARISSA CAULIFLOWER PILAF

Steps:

• Wash the rice really well, then leave to soak in cold water for 1 hr. Put the onion in a small bowl and toss with the lemon juice, the sugar and a pinch of salt. Leave to pickle while you make the pilaf.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Whisk 2 tbsp harissa, the garlic and oil in a large bowl, then add the cauliflower and toss to coat in the sauce. Season, then tip into a roasting tin and roast for 30 mins until tender and golden.
• Meanwhile, mix the saffron, bay leaves, stock and 2 tbsp harissa in a pan over a very low heat to keep warm while the cauli roasts.
• Remove the cauli from the oven, tip into a dish and squeeze over the juice from one of the lemon wedges. Drain the rice and tip into the roasting tin. Pour over the infused stock, and mix well. Stir in the sultanas, half the almonds, the dill, chickpeas, and half the cauliflower. Cover the tin with a double layer of foil, sealing well, then bake for 30 mins until the rice is tender and stock is absorbed.
• Fluff up the rice with a fork, then fold in the remaining cauliflower (this creates a contrast of cauli textures). Scatter over the extra dill, the remaining almonds, the pomegranate seeds, if using, the pickled red onions and remaining lemon wedges to squeeze over.

MOROCCAN HARISSA ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Tear open the New Mexico and guajillo chiles and discard the seeds and stems. (You may leave the seeds in if you prefer a spicy harissa.) Tear the chiles into large pieces and place them in a medium bowl. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the chiles and let stand until softened, about 20 minutes.
• Put the coriander and cumin seeds in a small skillet and cook, swirling often, over medium heat, until the seeds are fragrant and lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the spices to a blender and add the oil, garlic, lemon juice and 2 teaspoons kosher salt, then puree until smooth. Using tongs, add the chiles to the blender along with 1/2 cup of their soaking liquid (discard the rest) and puree until very smooth, about 2 minutes on high. Season the harissa with pepper and set aside.
• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, stir together 6 tablespoons butter with 1/4 cup of the harissa until smooth and well-combined; set aside. Place the chicken breast-side-up on a wire rack fitted into a rimmed baking sheet. Slide your forefinger gently under the skin of the chicken and loosen it from the breasts and thighs. Using a spoon, stuff the harissa butter underneath the skin of the breasts and thighs and press it so it spreads out evenly. Rub the exterior of the chicken with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity of the bird with the onion and celery and tie the legs together with butcher's twine.
• Roast the chicken for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400 degrees F and continue to roast until the skin is crispy and golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the thigh (avoiding bone) reads 160 degrees F, about 45 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and immediately brush all over with the remaining harissa. Set the chicken aside to rest for at least 10 minutes, then serve.

MOROCCAN HARISSA

Steps:

• Mince the chillies, roast capsicums, preserved lemon and garlic by hand or in a food processor.
• Mix with the coriander (cilantro), cumin and salt until well combined.
• Let the mixture stand for 1 hour, then transfer to a preserving jar and cover with oil. Store indefinitely in the refrigerator.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH HARISSA SAUCE

Steps:

• Roasted Cauliflower: Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Place the cauliflower on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Mix well, then shake the pan to evenly distribute cauliflower in one single layer. Season with salt and cumin seeds.
• Roast, shaking pan after about 10 minutes. Continue roasting until tender and browned around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of cauliflower pieces.
• Remove from oven and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with herbs. Serve with Harissa Dipping Sauce.
• Harissa Dipping Sauce: Combine ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Taste and add more harissa if you want the dip spicier. I used the entire recipe yield of harissa which was about 4 tablespoons total stirred into 1/2 cup of the yogurt and mayonnaise.