Moroccan Cauliflower Recipes

MOROCCAN HARISSA ROAST CAULIFLOWER

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.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower with 3/4 cup of the harissa until each floret is evenly coated. Spread the cauliflower onto a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with a little more vegetable oil. Roast, tossing halfway through, until the cauliflower is tender and the harissa has begun to caramelize, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer the cauliflower to a serving platter and sprinkle with the cilantro. Serve with the remaining 1/4 cup harissa on the side for dipping.

MOROCCAN CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Break the cauliflower into small florets; wash and drain. Mix the cauliflower with the spices and set aside. In a wide, deep skillet or Dutch oven, saute the onions and garlic in the olive oil over medium heat for just a few minutes. Add the cauliflower, preserved lemon, olives and water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring gently once or twice, until the cauliflower is just tender. Continue cooking, uncovered, to reduce the liquids to oil only.

WARM MOROCCAN CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Steps:

• First, make the tahini sauce by mixing all the ingredients together in a small bowl, then set aside.
• Take the outer leaves off the cauliflower and discard, then cut the cauliflower into rough chunks. Put these in a food processor in two batches and blitz for a few secs until it looks like rice.
• Heat the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan and gently fry the spring onions, garlic and chilli for a couple of mins. Add the blitzed cauliflower and continue to cook gently for about 5 mins.
• Add the cumin, lemon zest and juice, toasted nuts and cranberries, and cook gently for a couple of mins. Take off the heat, mix through the pomegranate seeds and herbs, and serve with the tahini sauce on the side.

MOROCCAN SPICED CAULIFLOWER & ALMOND SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the cauliflower into small florets. Fry olive oil, ground cinnamon, cumin and coriander and harissa paste for 2 mins in a large pan. Add the cauliflower, stock and almonds. Cover and cook for 20 mins until the cauliflower is tender. Blend soup until smooth, then serve with an extra drizzle of harissa and a sprinkle of toasted almonds.

MOROCCAN CAULIFLOWER WITH SPICES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium pan. Add the ground and fresh coriander, onions and cauliflower florets, stir well and add the water. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to very low, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Take 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of the cauliflower "stock" from the pan and stir into the flour to make a smooth paste, then add back to the cauliflower in the pan. Simmer for a few minutes, then season with ginger, cumin and lemon juice.
• Leave for 1 to 2 minutes for the flavours to develop, then serve warm or at room temperature. (Or see description for variation to make salad.).

MOROCCAN CAULIFLOWER AND ALMOND SOUP

Steps:

• In a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker, combine cauliflower, vegetable stock, 1/2 cup almonds, 1/2 cup cilantro and the next 7 ingredients. Cook, covered, on low until cauliflower is tender, 6-8 hours., Puree soup using an immersion blender. Or cool slightly and puree soup in batches in a blender; return to slow cooker and heat through. Serve with remaining almonds and cilantro and, if desired, additional harissa.