Recipe | Turmeric & Cumin Baked Cauliflower

Sunshine yellow and bejewelled with pomegranate, cauli gets its moment as star of the table.

Serves 4

1 whole cauliflower, leaves and stalk removed
½ tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garlic granules
2-3 tbsp olive oil

For the garnish:
200ml natural yogurt
3-4 tbsp pomegranate seeds
Small bunch coriander

1 Bring a large pan of water to the boil and place the cauliflower upside down inside. Boil for 5 mins. Drain and steam dry for 10–15 mins, then pat dry. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper and preheat the oven to 220C/Fan 200C/Gas 7.

2 Mix the cumin, turmeric, garlic granules and oil together in a small bowl. Place the cauliflower on the baking sheet (right way up) and brush all over with the mixture. Season and bake for 25–30 mins, or until the edges start to turn golden.

3 Transfer to a serving plate and drizzle over the yogurt, pomegranate seeds and coriander before serving.

This dish is from our ‘Spice Routes’ Gathering menu, which also includes Slow-Cooked Lamb, Spiced Rice with Saffron & Apricots, Honey & Harissa Roasted Carrots, Sumac Yoghurt and Fig & Custard Tart. All the recipes are in our January issue, which is in shops now.

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Turmeric pickled cauliflower & chilli

Cauliflower makes a good crunchy pickle with a touch of heat – just the thing to go with cheese and crackers

Makes 2 jars
1 head cauliflower
4 chilli peppers
400ml distilled vinegar
400ml water
2 tbsp granulated sugar
11⁄2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp coriander seeds

1 Break the cauliflower into florets, halving or quartering the larger ones so that each is bite sized. Slice the chillies in half and scoop out and discard the seeds (unless you want a very fiery pickle, in which case leave them). Pack these into sterilised jars.
2 In a pan gently heat the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and spices until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins.
3 Pour the hot liquid over the veg, making sure they’re completely covered. Seal and store in a cool, dark place.

Cook’s note: You can eat this after a week, but the flavours will have more chance to mellow and develop if you wait for a month or longer. Will store, sealed, for at least a year.

Turn to page 42 for more cauliflower recipes from Lia Leendertz.

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Tastebud travels | Aloo gobi

Homemade rather than takeaway, this dry, potato and cauliflower curry is a revelation. Originally from the Punjab, it is now popular across India and Pakistan.

Serves 2 (or 4 as a side)
3 medium potatoes
1 medium cauliflower
4–5 tbsp vegetable or rapeseed oil
1⁄2 tsp block mustard seeds
About 12 fenugreek seeds
1⁄2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp ground coriander
1⁄2 tsp each of ground turmeric and ground cumin
1–2 dried red chillies, finely chopped
1 fresh green chilli, finely chopped
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
4 tbsp frozen peas (optional)

TO GARNISH
Finely chopped fresh red chilli
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
Shavings of fresh coconut

1 Boil the potatoes in their skins until just tender when pierced with a skewer. Drain, leave to cool completely and then peel and cut into chunks.
2 Blanch the cauliflower in a pan of boiling water for 2 mins. Drain, cool and divide into small florets.
3 Heat the oil in a large shallow pan, add the mustard seeds and fry until they begin to pop. Add the fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds and ground spices, along with the chillies and onion. Stir well and fry over a low heat until the onion is soft and golden brown – approx 10 mins.
4 Add the cauliflower, cover the pan and cook for 5 mins or until almost tender. Add the peas (if using) and potato chunks, season with salt and re-cover the pan. Cook for l0 mins or until the potatoes are heated through. 
5 Serve garnished with chopped red chilli and coriander leaves, plus shavings of fresh coconut. 
 

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