Tomato Braised Cauliflower Recipes

TOMATO BRAISED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Pull off the cauliflower leaves and cut out the core. Break the cauliflower head into florets.
• In a large casserole, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until wilted, about 4 minutes. Add cauliflower, bay leaves and peperoncino and season lightly with salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, crush the tomatoes coarsely by hand.
• Add the tomatoes to the cauliflower and cook, covered, until the cauliflower is very tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 30 minutes. Check the cauliflower after about 20 minutes: There should be just enough liquid to lightly coat the cauliflower. If there is more, finish cooking the cauliflower uncovered. Season with salt and serve hot.
• Serve on top of pasta or rice, or dip fresh bread into the sauce, enjoy!

WHOLE CAULIFLOWER BRAISED IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place whole head of cauliflower in a large pot. It should fit comfortably, with 1 to 2 inches of room left on all sides.Pour in tomato sauce, then add parsley stalks, chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and freshly ground pepper. Bring to sauce to a simmer over medium heat.Stir in anchovies, olives, and red-wine vinegar, then bring to a low boil.Gently push whole head of cauliflower down into the sauce. (Sauce should come halfway up the sides of the cauliflower). Drizzle with olive oil and cover.Let cook over low heat for 45 minutes. To serve, garnish with chopped parsley.

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.

WHOLE CAULIFLOWER BRAISED IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place whole head of cauliflower in a large pot. It should fit comfortably, with 1 to 2 inches of room left on all sides.
• Pour in tomato sauce, then add parsley stalks, chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and freshly ground pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer over medium heat.
• Stir in anchovies, olives, and red-wine vinegar, then bring to a low boil.
• Gently push whole head of cauliflower down into the sauce. (Sauce should come halfway up the sides of the cauliflower). Drizzle with olive oil and cover.
• Let cook over low heat for 45 minutes. To serve, garnish with chopped parsley.

TOMATO BRAISED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Pull off leaves from cauliflower and cut out core. Break cauliflower head into florets no larger than 1-1/2 inches. In large casserole, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook about 4 minutes, until wilted. Add cauliflower, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper. Season lightly with salt. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile crush tomatoes by hand. Add tomatoes to cauliflower and cook, covered, until cauliflower is very tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 30 minutes. Check after 20 minutes and cook last 10 minutes uncovered if there is more than just enough liquid to lightly coat the cauliflower. Season with salt and serve hot as a side dish. You can also use this as sauce for pasta, topped with shaved pecorino or other hard cheese.

BRAISED CAULIFLOWER AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• NOTE: I use one 2 inch long medium hot jalapeno, but I am not very daring when it comes to chilis.
• Wash and cut cauliflower into small flowerets, about 1x2 inches. Peel ginger, cut into thin matchsticks. Cut jalapenos into thin strips. Wash and cut tomatoes into eight wedges each.
• Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium to medium high heat.
• When hot add ginger, jalapenos, cumin and mustard, cook until mustard pops and cumin has darkened a few shades, about 1-2 minutes.
• Add coriander, salt and turmeric, stir once, add cauliflower and stir-fry until cauliflower is slightly browned, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low, add tomatoes and water, stir once and cover. Cook covered for 15-20 minutes until cauliflower is just tender. Shake pan occasionally to avoid sticking, don't stir.
• When done, uncover and evaporate excess liquid on high heat, stirring carefully.
• Serve sprinkled with herbs and garam masala.