Alex Guarnaschelli Coconut Cauliflower Recipe Recipe For Chili

SLOW COOKER CHILI

Steps:

• Brown the meat: In a large saute pan heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the beef and season with salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the meat browns, about 5 minutes. Transfer beef to a large mixing bowl.
• Brown the vegetables: In the same pan, stir in the onions and the remaining oil. Add the garlic, chiles, bell pepper, tomato paste, and a generous pinch of salt. Cook until the vegetables start to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Cook the chili: While the vegetables are cooking, to the slow cooker add the tomatoes, chili powder, bay leaf, cumin, allspice, red pepper flakes, and 2 cups of water; stir to combine. Add the vegetables to the bowl of meat and stir to combine, then add to the slow cooker. Stir in the vinegar. Cover and set the cooker to low; cook for about 8 hours. Check after a couple of hours. Stir and taste for seasoning. Thirty minutes or so before serving, turn the slow cooker to high and stir in the black beans and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
• Serve: Allow it to "rest" for about 15 minutes before serving. Stir in the scallions. Taste for seasoning. Serve with any or all of the following: cheddar, sour cream, avocado, scallions, lime wedges, and tortilla chips.

CAULIFLOWER FRITTERS

Steps:

• For the sauce: Put all of the ingredients into a bowl and toss to combine.
• For the fritters: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, turmeric and ground ginger. Add 1 tablespoon of canola oil and whisk in the beer. Set aside in a warm place because, like a bread dough, it will puff up slightly.
• Put the cauliflower in a medium-size bowl and use a small strainer to sprinkle it with an even layer of the paprika. Toss to coat.
• In a large pot, over medium heat, add the remaining 6 cups of canola oil and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare a baking sheet fitted with paper towels or a kitchen towel to drain the florets as they come out of the oil. Stir the batter slightly. To test the consistency of the batter and the temperature of the oil, put a couple of pieces of cauliflower on a slotted spoon or spider (Chef's Note: Alternatively, use your fingers), and submerge them into the batter. It should coat the pieces lightly. (Chef's Note: If the batter is too thick, add a little water to thin it out. If the batter is too thin, sift and whisk in a little more flour.)
• Test 1 piece of cauliflower to check for seasoning. Drain the excess batter and lower the cauliflower bite into the oil. It should bubble slightly and the cauliflower should gradually rise to the surface. Fry until golden brown on all sides and transfer the piece to a kitchen towel. Season with salt and, when cool enough, taste. Season the remaining uncooked cauliflower with salt, if desired, prior to dredging in the batter. Fry the cauliflower in small batches and drain on the prepared baking sheet. Season with salt, if desired, and transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with the Cilantro-Ginger Sauce and serve immediately.

BROILED CAULIFLOWER STEAKS WITH PARSLEY AND LEMON

Steps:

• For the cauliflower: Place the first head of cauliflower upright (stem-side down) on a flat surface. Using a large knife and imagining that you are creating two large steaks from each head of cauliflower, trim a little off each end so that when you split the cauliflower in half, each half will lie flat. Cut the cauliflower in half. You should yield two "steaks," each weighing about 14 to 15 ounces. Repeat with the other cauliflower.
• Bring 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a pot large enough to hold the cauliflower steaks. Add salt until the water tastes like mild seawater. (How will you know? Take a little water with a spoon and taste a drop of it.) Layer a baking sheet with a kitchen towel. Add the cauliflower steaks to the boiling water and cook until they are slightly tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 6 to 8 minutes. Use a large slotted spoon or spatula to carefully transfer the steaks to the baking sheet to drain.
• In a container large enough to fit the cauliflower snugly, whisk the coconut milk together with the coriander, red pepper flakes and a generous pinch of salt. Submerge the steaks in the coconut milk marinade and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
• For the vinaigrette: Whisk together the lemon juice, mustard and vinegar in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Set aside.
• For the gremolata: Combine the parsley, lemon zest and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Finish the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Remove the cauliflower steaks from the coconut milk marinade and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Season with salt. Place in the oven and cook until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Heat the broiler and place the cauliflower under the broiler for a few minutes, until the top chars. Transfer the steaks to a serving platter (or individual plates) and drizzle liberally with all of the vinaigrette. Top with all of the gremolata. Add a pinch more salt if desired. Serve immediately.