SPICED ROASTED CAULIFLOWER RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 220°C/fan 200°C/gas mark 7. Pull the leaves off the cauliflower and cut the core out of the bottom. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add the cauliflower. Cook for 5 minutes, or until beginning to soften. Drain and leave to steam dry for a further 5 minutes.

  Whisk together 2 tbsp oil, the coriander, cumin, turmeric and cinnamon. Place the cauliflower in a large round oven dish, big enough to later take the lentils. Generously rub the cauliflower all over with the spice and oil mix and season to taste. Place in the preheated oven and roast uncovered for 20 minutes. 

  Meanwhile, add the remaining olive oil and the shallots to a medium frying pan over a medium heat and fry for 7-10 minutes, until the shallots begin to turn golden brown and caramelised. Add the garlic, sumac and apricots and cook for a further 2 minutes. Stir through the lentils and stock and season to taste. 

  Remove the cauliflower from the oven and spoon the lentils and shallots around. Return the cauliflower to the oven for a further 20-30 minutes or until tender. 

  Once the lentils are cooked, squeeze the lemon juice over the top. Scatter the cauliflower and lentils with the toasted almonds, pomegranate seeds, parsley and mint. Serve the cauliflower sliced into chunky wedges. 

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
  2. Peel the garlic, then add to a pestle and mortar with the paprika and half the thyme leaves. Bash well to a rough paste, then muddle in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season.
  3. Zest the lemon into a separate bowl and set aside.
  4. Trim the outer cauliflower leaves. Trim away and discard the stalk so the cauliflower can sit flat, then cut a cross into the base.
  5. Rub the paprika paste all over the cauliflower, then place in a medium casserole pan. Drizzle over the sherry and squeeze the lemon juice on top.
  6. Cover and pop in the hot oven for around 1 hour 20 minutes, or until tender, removing the lid for the final 20 minutes.
  7. Remove the pan from the oven, then pour in the tomatoes, tearing or slicing them up into chunks. Sprinkle over the lemon zest and pick over the remaining thyme leaves.
  8. Return the pan to the oven for a further 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower is golden.
  9. Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a dry frying pan over a medium-low heat until golden, then leave to cool.
  10. Once ready, take the pan out of the oven. Scrunch over the toasted almonds, then pick, roughly chop and scatter the parsley leaves on top.
  11. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, then carve up and serve with pilaf rice and steamed greens, or as part of a bigger spread.