Cauliflower Pastries Recipes

CAULIFLOWER CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and trim the stalk end, then cut into chunks. Blitz half the cauliflower in a food processor until finely chopped, like rice. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with the remaining half. Tip all the cauliflower in a bowl, cover with cling film and microwave on High for 5-6 mins until softened. Tip onto a clean tea towel and leave to cool a little. Once cool enough to handle, scrunch up the tea towel and squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the cauliflower, then transfer to a clean bowl. Stir in the ground almonds, egg, oregano and plenty of seasoning. Line a baking tray with baking parchment and grease with oil. Mound the cauliflower mix into the centre of the tray, then use a spoon and your hands to spread out into a 30cm round. Make it a little thicker at the edges to create a 'crust'. Bake for 15-18 mins until golden brown and starting to crisp a little at the edges.
• Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan, brush each aubergine slice on both sides with a little of the oil, season and cook for 5-6 mins, turning once, until softened and charred - you'll need to do this in batches. Transfer to a plate. Brush the onions with oil, season and griddle for 5-8 mins until softened and charred. To make the tomato sauce, whizz the canned tomatoes, tomato purée, garlic and some seasoning in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook gently for 8-10 mins until thick (you don't want any watery tomato soaking into the cauliflower base). Tear half the basil leaves and stir through the sauce.
• Once the cauliflower base is cooked, set aside to cool a little. Turn the oven up to 240C/220C fan/gas 8. Drain the mozzarella and pat dry with kitchen paper. Spread the tomato sauce over the base, sprinkle over the Grana Padano, then arrange the aubergines, red onion and mozzarella on top. Scatter over the chilli flakes and return to the oven for 10-12 mins. Before serving, shave over a little more cheese and scatter with the remaining basil leaves.

CAULIFLOWER PATTIES

Steps:

• Bring water to boil in a saucepan. Add cauliflower; boil until tender, about 15 minutes. Strain cauliflower, transfer to a bowl, and mash with a fork.
• Stir almond flour, eggs, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper into cauliflower until well-combined; form into 1/4-cup sized patties.
• Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry patties in a single layer until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining patties and olive oil.

CAULIFLOWER PASTRIES

Steps:

• Prepare the cashew milk as directed below and set aside. Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet on medium heat and sauté the cauliflower until lightly browned. Add a little water and cook until tender.
• Stir in the cashew milk and the next 6 filling ingredients and gently simmer for a few minutes. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir until thickened. Cool before using.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F Combine the dry pastry ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the oil and eggless mayonnaise and rub in until evenly crumbly. Gradually add enough water to make a soft ball.
• Divide the dough into 8 pieces. On a floured work surface, roll the pieces out into thin circles about 1/16 inch thick. Spoon 1/8 of the filling onto one side of each pastry, leaving room to seal.
• Fold the other side over the filling. Seal by fork-pressing the edges evenly. Prick the tops and lay the pastries on an oiled cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown.
• Makes 8 half moon pastries.
• *Cashew milk: Blend 1/4 cup raw cashew pieces with 1 cup hot water until smooth. Strain through a fine strainer.
• **To make fresh ginger juice, simply grate some fresh ginger, then manually squeeze the pulp.

WHOLE CAULIFLOWER WELLINGTON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking with parchment.
• Combine the parsley, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in to a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the butter and process until well combined and the butter is very green. Clean out the food processor.
• Carefully remove the leaves and any small inner leave from the bottom of the cauliflower and trim the stem so it is 1/2-inch-long. Brush the cauliflower with 2 tablespoons of the herb butter and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake until a paring knife can easily be inserted and removed from stalk and the cauliflower has turned a light golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse the mushrooms in a food processor until a paste. Melt 2 tablespoons of the herb butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushroom paste, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until all the moisture has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Place 1 puff pastry sheet on top of the other. Roll out to a 14-by-14-inch square with a 3-inch-wide border all the way around that is considerably thinner than the middle. Round the corners so you have a 13-inch circle. Brush the puff pastry with the Dijon, then spread the mushroom mixture over top. Turn the cauliflower upside down on top of and in the middle of the puff pastry circle. Melt the remaining herb butter in the microwave in 30 second intervals. Pour the butter in between the stalks of the florets. Fold the puff pastry around the cauliflower so that the whole thing is enclosed. Turn the cauliflower right side up, place it back onto the prepared baking sheet and brush with the egg. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and bake until the puff pastry is a deep golden brown and a paring knife can be easily inserted, twisted and removed from the stem of the cauliflower, 55 to 60 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Slice through the middle then into wedges.