Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Green Herb Sauce Food

GARLIC WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Trim the cauliflower: Cut the stem flush with the bottom. Cut a few slits into the core extending into the thick branches of the cauliflower (keep the florets intact). Put 3 thyme sprigs, the smashed garlic, bay leaves, coriander seeds and peppercorns on a square of cheesecloth and tie into a bundle. Combine 12 cups water, the celery, shallot, lemon zest, wine, sugar, 1/3 cup salt and the cheesecloth bundle in a pot large enough to submerge the cauliflower. Bring to a boil, whisking to dissolve the salt and sugar. Carefully add the cauliflower core-side down and cook until there is a slight resistance when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes. (It's OK if the top of the cauliflower pops up during cooking.) Remove the cauliflower to a baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, make the garlic oil: Combine the remaining 3 thyme sprigs, the sliced garlic, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the garlic starts browning, 3 to 5 minutes. Discard the thyme. Brush the cauliflower with half of the oil, leaving the sliced garlic behind.
• Roast the cauliflower until browned and tender, 30 to 40 minutes, brushing halfway through with the remaining garlic oil; reserve 1 teaspoon garlic oil and the sliced garlic.
• Transfer the cauliflower to a cutting board or platter using a spatula. Add the parsley to the reserved garlic oil and spoon over the cauliflower. Cut into wedges.

WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH POMEGRANATE AND TAHINI

Steps:

• For the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Remove the leaves from the cauliflower, then trim the stem flush with the bottom of the head so the cauliflower sits flat and upright. Transfer to a medium ovenproof skillet. Rub the outside of the cauliflower with the olive oil, then sprinkle evenly with the cumin, coriander, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and several grinds of pepper. Pour 1 cup water into the bottom of skillet, then wrap tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake until the cauliflower is crisp-tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cauliflower is very tender and golden brown, 30 minutes more. (The core of the cauliflower should be tender but the whole head should hold its shape and not fall apart.)
• For the tahini sauce: Meanwhile, stir together the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and several grinds of pepper until combined. Whisk in 3 to 4 tablespoons of water until the sauce is very smooth and creamy. The sauce may look lumpy at first, but will come together once the water is incorporated. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the cauliflower to a serving platter, then top with the parsley, pine nuts, pomegranate seeds and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Drizzle with some of the tahini sauce, then cut into wedges and serve with more tahini sauce on the side.

WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH ALMOND-HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oven while you prepare the cauliflower: Place a heavy oven-proof skillet (a cast-iron skillet looks very nice) or a baking sheet in the oven and turn the heat to 375 degrees. Place a small pan of hot water on the floor of the oven, to create steam.
• Break off and discard the outer leaves from the cauliflower. Cut off the bottom of the stem, and then use the tip of a small, sharp knife to cut off the leaves close to the stem. Carefully cut out the hard core of the cauliflower, near the bottom. Leave the main stem intact and make sure not to cut through any of the florets.
• Rinse the cauliflower (leave the water clinging to the outside) and place on a work surface, core side up. Drizzle with olive oil and use your hands to rub over the cauliflower until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt.
• Place the cauliflower on the hot pan in the oven, core side down, and cook until very tender all the way through when pierced with a knife, at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours. During the cooking, baste 2 or 3 times with more olive oil. It should brown nicely. If you have a convection feature, use it toward the end of baking to brown the crust.
• Make the sauce: In a small frying pan, toast nuts over low heat, shaking often, just until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
• Soak anchovies, if using, for 5 minutes in cool water. Rinse and set aside on paper towels.
• In a food processor, combine almonds, anchovies, garlic and butter and pulse until smooth. Mix in oil, then vinegar. Mix in herbs and red pepper flakes, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• When cauliflower is tender, remove from the oven. (If desired, run it briefly under the broiler first to brown the surface; there is no need to do this if you used convection.)
• Serve cauliflower in the skillet or from a serving plate. Cut into wedges and spoon sauce around each wedge.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH HERB-CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Position 2 oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cut the florets off of the cauliflower heads and cut into 1/2-inch pieces; put into a large bowl. Add 1/3 cup of the olive oil and toss to coat. Spread the florets out evenly on the 2 prepared baking sheets, without overlapping, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper between the two baking sheets. Roast the cauliflower until charred in spots and tender when pierced with a knife, 22 to 24 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the capers and garlic in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the parsley, scallions, lemon zest and juice and continue to pulse until the leaves are coarsely chopped. With the machine running, pour in the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil and process until the mixture forms a loose pesto--like consistency. Season with a pinch of salt to taste.
• Transfer the cauliflower to a serving platter and the herb-caper sauce to a small serving bowl or ramekin. Serve the cauliflower with dollops of the sauce.

WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH GREEN HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place cauliflower on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Brush with 1/4 cup oil; season with salt and pepper. Pull short sides of parchment over cauliflower and fold one end over other a few times to seal. Fold long ends of parchment under cauliflower to create a packet. Roast until knife-tender, about 40 minutes. Tear open parchment at top; roast until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Stir together parsley, cilantro, garlic, mustard, vinegar, and remaining 1/2 cup oil in a small bowl to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve cauliflower warm, with sauce alongside.