Braised Cauliflower With Bacon Recipes

SAUTéED CAULIFLOWER WITH BACON

Steps:

• Soak cauliflower florets in salt water. Meanwhile, prepare bacon, ginger, garlic and chili pepper.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add bacon and cook until it starts to sweat, about 3 minutes. Add ginger and stir until the bacon turns dark pink, about 2 minutes.
• Drain the cauliflower and add it to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute, reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook the cauliflower for 5 minutes.
• Uncover, the cauliflower should be slightly brown by now. Turn the heat back on medium-high. Add garlic and chili pepper. Sauté again until all ingredients are distributed evenly.
• Add coconut aminos and kosher salt. Keep stirring for 30 seconds to allow the flavor to blend in.
• Dish. Season with freshly ground black pepper if desired. Enjoy over rice.

BRAISED CAULIFLOWER WITH BACON

Steps:

• Remove stem from cauliflower (but you can keep the leaves, if any -- they're delicious!).
• Sauté garlic and bacon in olive oil in a large heavy pot until lightly browned. Add onions and continue to sauté until onions are softened.
• Add cauliflower stem-side down. Pour tomatoes over and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for about an hour or until done (will depend on size of cauliflower -- mine took about 70 minutes).
• Remove cauliflower, bring sauce to simmer and let reduce for a little while, then pour over cauliflower and serve.

WHOLE POT-ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH TOMATOES AND ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 450 degrees.
• Trim any wilted leaves and brown bits off the cauliflower, but leave healthy leaves. Put the cauliflower on its side on a cutting board. As if coring a tomato, core the base of the cauliflower: insert a small sharp knife about 1 inch into the base of the stem, make a circular cut to loosen the cone-shaped core, then pry it out and discard.
• In a deep, heavy ovenproof pot (with a lid), large enough to hold the whole cauliflower, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower cored side up; it should sizzle. Brown the exterior, turning it occasionally with tongs for even browning. This should take about 5 minutes; reduce the heat as needed to prevent scorching. Carefully turn over and brown the other side lightly, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the cauliflower to a plate and add garlic, anchovies and rosemary to the pot. Stir until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, white wine, chiles and salt. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Return cauliflower to pot, cored side down. Baste with the tomato liquid and pile some of the solids on top. Simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes to thicken the tomatoes.
• Cover the pot, place in the oven and roast until tender, 30 to 45 minutes; a knife will go into the thick stems with almost no resistance. Check on the tomato sauce every 10 minutes or so; it should be punchy and intense but not too thick, so add a glug of wine if it seems to be getting too dry.
• Transfer the cauliflower head to a serving plate or shallow bowl and cut in half, quarters or thick slices. Spoon on all the tasty stuff left in the pot. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs. Serve immediately or at room temperature, passing salt and red pepper flakes at the table.