Charred Cauliflower Lemon Caper Orzo Recipes

CHARRED CAULIFLOWER, LEMON & CAPER ORZO

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high. Toss the cauliflower with half the oil and some seasoning. Tip onto a baking tray and grill for 15-20 mins until golden, charred, and tender all the way through.
• Meanwhile, cook the orzo in a pan of boiling salted water for 8 mins, or until al dente. Drain.
• Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and sizzle the capers and garlic until golden. Stir in the orzo, cauliflower, lemon zest and juice and the stock. Bubble for 1 min, then spoon half into a bowl and top with the rocket. Leave the leftovers to cool for the lunchbox, see tip below.

CAULIFLOWER WITH CAPERS, BLACK OLIVES AND CHILES

Steps:

• Trim the cauliflower, and break the head apart into florets.
• On a chopping board, combine the olives, capers, parsley and lemon zest, and chop together to mix well.
• Bring a pot of water large enough to hold the cauliflower to a rolling boil. Add a big pinch of salt, and when it returns to a boil, add the florets. Cook until the florets are just barely tender, about 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet large enough to hold all the ingredients, warm the chile flakes and the garlic in the oil over medium-low heat until hot, about 3 or 4 minutes. The chile and garlic should be starting to melt in the oil, rather than sizzling and browning. Stir in the lemon juice, and cook for another 2 minutes, then add the olive-caper mix, give it a stir, take it off the heat and set aside.
• Drain the cauliflower well, shaking the colander. Combine the cauliflower with the olive-caper dressing in the skillet, and set the skillet back on medium heat. Warm it up to serving temperature, taste to make sure the seasoning is right and serve.

CAULIFLOWER WITH CAPERS AND LEMON

Steps:

• Place cauliflower into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain.
• Mix olive oil, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, capers, anchovy paste, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Reserve remaining lemon zest for another use.
• Place cauliflower in a bowl and pour dressing over top. Add Parmesan cheese and thyme; mix until completely coated.

CHARRED CAULIFLOWER WITH ANCHOVIES, CAPERS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Put a large pot of water on the stove and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, with a large knife, cut the cauliflower into quarters. Cut off the tough core at the stem end of each piece. Cut cauliflower quarters into rough 1/2-inch slices. Cut larger slices into several pieces, so all the chopped cauliflower is about the same size.
• Salt boiling water generously and add chopped cauliflower. Cook for 2 minutes, then drain and spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
• In a large bowl, put garlic, anchovy, olives, capers, olive oil, lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisk ingredients together and taste. Adjust salt or lemon juice as necessary.
• Add blanched cauliflower to the bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Add a generous pinch of red-pepper flakes, or add to taste, and toss cauliflower with your hands to coat evenly with dressing.
• Transfer mixture to a shallow baking dish, small roasting pan or sheet pan. (Recipe may be prepared up to this point several hours ahead of baking.)
• To finish, heat oven to 450 degrees. Bake cauliflower, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, until top is browned and beginning to char in some places. For extra char, place dish under broiler for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve at room temperature with a sprinkling of parsley and scallions. Drizzle with a little more olive oil, if desired.

LEMON CAPER ORZO

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan.
• Stir in the orzo and salt. Boil for 10-12 minutes or until tender; drain.
• Stir in the parsley, lemon juice, capers, olive oil and pepper into the orzo. Serve immediately.

SAUTEED CAULIFLOWER WITH BREAD CRUMBS, PARSLEY, CAPERS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Place a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Add two tablespoons olive oil. When it shimmers, add half the cauliflower, spreading it out so pieces are tightly packed but lay flat in pan. Season with salt. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes, until browned on bottom and softening at edges. Turn pieces and brown other side. When just tender remove to a shallow serving bowl. Return pan to heat and repeat with 2 tablespoons olive oil and remaining cauliflower.
• Return pan to heat again. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add bread and coriander and toss to coat in oil. When bread is lightly browned on edges, stir in anchovy paste. Pour this over cauliflower. Add parsley, olives and capers. Sprinkle vinegar on top. Season generously with black pepper and toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper or vinegar, as desired. Serve warm or at room temperature. For a main course, cauliflower may be tossed with pasta, a little oil and some pasta cooking water.