Smooth And Silky Cauliflower Purée Food

RICH AND NUTTY ROASTED-CAULIFLOWER PURéE RECIPE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 500°F (260°C). Place cauliflower on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet, toss with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast, flipping cauliflower with a thin metal spatula halfway through roasting, until cauliflower is tender and deeply browned on both sides, about 20 minutes total.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and cayenne and cook, stirring often, until softened and just starting to turn golden, about 4 minutes.
• Add cauliflower, cream and/or stock, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, then cook, adjusting heat to maintain simmer, until cauliflower has softened in the liquid, about 5 minutes. Discard thyme sprig.
• Using a blender or immersion blender, blend cauliflower and liquid to form a very smooth purée. Season with salt and pepper. (You can adjust purée consistency as needed: Thicken by cooking down further while stirring often over low heat in a wide nonstick skillet, or thin by adding liquid, such as stock, cream, or water.) Serve warm.

SMOOTH AND SILKY CAULIFLOWER PURéE RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes; lower heat as necessary to prevent browning.
• Add cauliflower, cream and/or stock, and thyme. Cover, bring to a simmer, and cook, adjusting heat to maintain simmer, until cauliflower is tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Uncover and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by about three-quarters, about 20 minutes. Discard thyme sprig.
• Using a blender or immersion blender, blend cauliflower and liquid to form a very smooth purée. Season with salt. (You can adjust purée consistency as needed: Thicken by cooking down further while stirring often over low heat in a wide nonstick skillet, or thin by whisking in liquid, such as stock, cream, or water.) Serve warm.

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.