Venetian Cauliflower
- Total Time
- 30 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 1cauliflower, about 1½ pounds
- 4tablespoons olive oil
- 1large onion, finely diced
- Pinch of saffron, crumbled
- ⅛teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
- ½teaspoon whole coriander seeds
- Pinch of crushed red pepper
- Salt and pepper
- ½teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼cup currants
- ½cup golden raisins
- ¼cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
- 2tablespoons chopped parsley
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
195 calories; 13 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 8 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 20 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 14 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 403 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Cut cauliflower in half from top to bottom, then remove the core. With a paring knife, cut into very small florets of equal size. Blanch florets in boiling water for 2 minutes. Cool in cold water and drain.
- Step 2
Put olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add saffron, cinnamon, fennel seeds, coriander seeds and red pepper. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Step 3
Add lemon zest, currants, raisins and cauliflower florets. Toss with wooden spoons to distribute. Cover with a lid and cook for about 5 minutes more, until cauliflower is tender. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with pine nuts and parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Private Notes
Comments
In addition to increasing the amount of spice, I would recommend a trick from the Ottolenghi cookbook "Plenty," which features a similar dish: soak the saffron threads in a little bit (third of a cup) of hot water before adding the whole bit -- saffron and saffron-infused water -- to the cauliflower. Really ups the flavor. (He also suggests baking the cauliflower in a dish -- that takes longer but was really tasty. And he adds green olives!)
Terrific side - I made this with orange and green cauliflower for a color twist - it was a huge success!
Note: I plumped up the raisins and currents in a bit of dry sherry beforehand
Completely declicious! Entirely unnecessary to blanch the florets. Simply add them raw to the sauteed mixture in a large pan, add a tablespoon of water, toss to distribute and steam until florets are tender. Instead of 5 minutes, the dish will be completed in 10, and you will have one less pan to wash!
A very unique, different taste! Surprised our taste buds…No wonder, Venice was rich in spices being on the Silk Road. I followed some of the comments - microwaved the cauliflower florets for 5 minutes. Doubled the sauce. Put the saffron in warm water and added it with the water. I didn’t have coriander seeds, replaced with dry cilantro. Used golden raisins, pomegranate seeds I happened to have in the freezer, and roasted processed almonds. No parsley. Very good. I can imagine this dish with a spicy sweetish chicken dish or other protein. Will definitely make this again.
Except for exchanging dried cranberries for golden raisins, cooked it exactly as written. It was OUT OF THIS WORLD!! Cooking it for exactly the time stated left the cauliflower a little bit crunchy. To me, this is a lovely touch. Thank you so very dearly.
Next time I make this I will follow the advice from the comments section; double the spice, don't blanch, and steep the saffron in a bit of water.
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