Cauliflower Ragu Recipes

CAULIFLOWER RAGU

Steps:

• Break the cauliflower into small, small florets. Peel the big stems and cut them into small bite-size pieces. Steam or microwave the cauliflower until barely tender.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over low heat and add the garlic. Let it mellow until the oil has a good garlic aroma and the garlic is light brown. Discard garlic.
• Sauté the onion in the oil. Add the tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes to reduce. Add the anchovy paste and the cauliflower and simmer for 20 minutes until tomatoes and cauliflower are very tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over pasta or polenta.

CAULIFLOWER WITH ANCHOVIES AND CRUSHED OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the anchovies, and let them melt and sizzle in the olive oil, about 2 minutes. Add about ¾ of the cauliflower, season with salt and pepper and stir to coat. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the cauliflower is browned on one side, 4 to 7 minutes. Add the olives and half of the oregano and give it a stir. Continue to cook until the cauliflower is completely softened and evenly browned, another 4 to 7 minutes.
• Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl along with scallions, preserved lemon (if using), vinegar and remaining raw cauliflower. Season with salt, pepper and more vinegar, if you like.
• Transfer cauliflower to a large serving platter or bowl and top with parsley, remaining oregano and a drizzle of olive oil.

CAULIFLOWER PATTIES IN RAGU PASTA SAUCE #RAGU

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, remove the cauliflower core and separate into florets. Wash and place in a large pot, in one layer. Add 1/2 cup water, cover the pot and cook/steam over medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes, until the water evaporates and the is cauliflower is cooked. Cool to room temperature and mash roughly with a potato masher.
• Add the eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg and mix well, trying not to mash the cauliflower too much. Add the flour and breadcrumbs and mix briefly. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
• In a large frying pan, heat the oil on medium-high heat. Lower the heat to medium. Spoon heaped tablespoons of the mixture into the oil, in one layer and a bit apart. Flatten the mixture with the back of a spoon. Fry until golden on both sides. Transfer to a workspace layered with paper towels.
• Serve at room temperature, with a slice of lemon, or cook in tomato sauce, as follows.
• To cook in tomato sauce: make sure the patties are cold, so they will not break apart upon cooking. Bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add as many patties as you're about to serve. Cook for 1-2 minutes on both sides, or until heated through, and serve immediately.

CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
• Heat butter in a small saucepan over low heat; cook and stir onion in the melted butter until softened, about 5 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture just starts to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually pour milk into mixture, whisking into a smooth sauce. Cook until just simmering.
• Remove sauce from heat and stir in half the Cheddar cheese until melted; sprinkle with pepper and nutmeg.
• Place steamed cauliflower in the prepared baking dish; pour cheese sauce over cauliflower. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and browned, about 25 minutes.