roasted cauliflower with cumin, coriander and almonds
Photography by David Loftus

roasted cauliflower with cumin, coriander and almonds

When most people think of ways to cook cauliflower they will come up with either boiling or gratinating - I'm sure this is the same for you. It may seem strange, but cauliflower is absolutely fantastic when lightly roasted, especially with herbs, spices, cheeses or breadcrumbs. It develops a really incredible flavour that I'm well impressed by. Here's a recipe I made up that is Indian-ish in style. But, hey, it's not about points for authenticity - it's about whether it's delicious or not and I think it is! Please try this one.

Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Blanch the cauliflower in salted boiling water for a couple of minutes then drain in a colander, allowing it to steam dry (you don't want any water left in your cauliflower or it won't roast properly). Toss it in a good glug of olive oil and the butter. In a pestle and mortar, bash your spices and chillies with a pinch of salt, then mix them with your almonds and put in a hot, dry ovenproof pan to slowly toast them. After a couple of minutes, add the cauliflower. When it gets a nice bit of colour on it, add the lemon zest and juice and mix around well. Fry for about a minute longer then pop the pan into the preheated oven for about 15 minutes to crisp up.

Comments

carole [Visitor]
Sun 18 May 2008 @ 18:02
After years of enduring my mother’s soggy cauli, I vowed I would never boil it and I only ever serve it gratin. Wow! I love this recipe it lifts the humble cauliflower into new realms. I bow to Jamie’s genius. Please everyone must try it!

sumpingrey [Visitor]
Thu 05 Jun 2008 @ 17:07
super recipe. i am a huge fan of ur simple, enthusiastic and colourful cooking, it looks good and frm the little i have dared to try at home, tastes good too. am on my way through the Jamie at Home series that i adore and on my way to buying ur latest cookbook. atta boy!

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3 stars3 stars3 stars 103 votes

serves 4

ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower, outer green leaves removed, broken into florets
• sea salt
• olive oil
• a knob of butter
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
• 1-2 dried red chillies
• a handful of blanched almonds, smashed
zest and juice of 1 lemon