Anchovy Breadcrumbs With Roasted Cauliflower Recipes

CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH ANCHOVY BREADCRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• For the soup:
• Heat the EVOO in a soup pot over medium to medium-high heat. Melt the butter into the oil, then add the garlic, rosemary and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, partially covered, to soften, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and deglaze, then add about 1/2 cup stock and the whole head of cauliflower. Cover the pot and steam the cauliflower until very tender, about 15 minutes. Uncover and break up with a potato masher, then add the remaining stock, milk and potatoes. Season with a little nutmeg and cayenne, to taste. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, 10 minutes or so. Puree with an immersion blender, then simmer over low heat to thicken to desired consistency, and adjust seasonings. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal.
• For the breadcrumb topping:
• Heat the EVOO, 1/4 to 1/3 cup, in a skillet over medium heat. Add the anchovies and stir until they melt away into the oil. Lower the heat, and add the garlic and some black pepper and stir a minute or 2. Add the breadcrumbs and cook until deeply fragrant and well toasted. Remove from the heat. Cool and combine with the parsley and cheese. Store in an airtight container.
• Serve the soup in shallow bowls topped with the breadcrumbs.

BLISTERED CAULIFLOWER WITH GARLIC, CHILI, AND ANCHOVY

Steps:

• Breadcrumbs, part 1: Preheat broiler. Position the oven rack two rungs from the top. Place torn bread on a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer, then place sheet under the broiler. Cook 4-5 minutes, until bread is dried out and lightly toasted. Remove and set aside.
• Cauliflower: With the broiler still on, heat a rimmed baking sheet on the same rack under the broiler. Meanwhile, cut the cauliflower into quarters, then into ¼-inch slices. Break up the larger pieces (don't worry if smaller pieces fall off). Place the cut cauliflower into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the salt over the bowl from a height of 8-10 inches. Toss cauliflower and place on the pre-heated baking sheet in an even layer. Return the sheet to the broiler and cook 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so to allow color to develop.
• Garlic paste: Smash the garlic clove with the flat side of a knife, then finely chop it. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and continue chopping. Place the heel of your hand on top of the flat side of the knife and smash the garlic-salt mixture. The mixture will look wet as it releases oils; after a minute, it will become smooth, yielding garlic paste. Put into a small jar and set aside.
• Anchovy paste: Just as you did with the garlic, finely chop the anchovies, sprinkle on ½ teaspoon salt, then chop the salt and anchovies together. Again, use the flat side of the knife to smash the mixture into a paste, then add it to the jar along with the garlic paste.
• Dressing: To the garlic and anchovy paste, add ¼ cup olive oil, chili flakes, and lemon zest. Cover and shake, about 30 seconds. Taste to adjust seasonings and set aside.
• Breadcrumbs, part 2: Place the dried bread between two sheets of parchment paper in an even layer. Using a rolling pin, roll over the top layer of parchment paper and crush the bread to a medium consistency. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a medium skillet over medium-low heat. When oil is hot and shimmering, add the breadcrumbs, toss to coat, and toast, 3-4 minutes. Season with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
• Assemble: Put the blistered cauliflower in a large bowl. Toss with half of the dressing. (The rest will keep in the covered jar up to a week; use on fish, grilled vegetables, or as the base of a vinaigrette.) Then place the cauliflower back on the baking sheet and put under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. To serve, place the cauliflower on a platter and top with breadcrumbs and parsley.

ANCHOVY BREADCRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil, 1/4 to 1/3 cup, in a skillet over medium heat. Add the anchovies and stir until they melt away into the oil. Lower the heat, and add the garlic and some black pepper and stir a minute or 2. Add the breadcrumbs and cook until deeply fragrant and well toasted. Remove from the heat. Cool and combine with the parsley and cheese. Store in an airtight container.
• Serve over soups or casseroles.