Name: Whole Braised Cauliflower Recipe
Prep time: 24 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 24 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: For Cauliflower:; 2 tsp smoked paprika; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tbsp kosher salt; 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 medium cauliflower; 3 tbsp olive oil; ½ medium yellow onion; For Salsa Verde Orzo:; 4 garlic cloves; 2 cups vegetable stock; 2 tsp honey; 2 lemons; 2 lemons; 6 fresh parsley sprigs; 4 garlic cloves; 1 large shallot; Fresh Parsley; 1 cup fresh mint leaf; fresh cilantro; ¼ cup olive oil; 2 tsp kosher salt; 2 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 cup orzo

How To Make Whole Braised Cauliflower

Enjoy a flavorful batch of braised cauliflower for your next dinner meal! It comes with a tangy salsa verde orzo sauce to match for a tasty dish.

Preparation: 24 minutes

Cooking: 1 hour

Total: 1 hour 24 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

For Cauliflower:

2tspsmoked paprika
2tspground cumin
1tbspkosher salt
2tspfreshly ground black pepper
1medium cauliflower,greens trimmed and stem removed
3tbspolive oil,divided
½medium yellow onion,diced

For Salsa Verde Orzo:

4garlic cloves,minced
2cupsvegetable stock,divided
2tsphoney
2lemons,zested
2lemons,juiced
6fresh parsley sprigs,+1 tbsp, chopped, for serving
4garlic cloves
1large shallot
fresh parsley,1 bunch
1cupfresh mint leaf
fresh cilantro,1 bunch
¼cupolive oil
2tspkosher salt
2tbspred wine vinegar
1tspground cumin
1cuporzo,cooked

Instructions

Cauliflower:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Add the cauliflower to a medium bowl, then rub the spice mixture all over.
Let sit for about 10 minutes.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or cast iron pot over medium-high heat.
When the oil is shimmering, use tongs to transfer the seasoned cauliflower to the pot.
Sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden brown all over.
Remove the cauliflower from the pot and set aside.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan, along with the onion.
Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the onion is translucent.
Add the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
Deglaze the pot with ½ cup of the vegetable stock, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add the honey, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
Return the cauliflower to the pot, along with the remaining 1½ cups of vegetable stock and the sprigs of parsley.
Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the oven.
Braise the cauliflower for 35 to 40 minutes, until tender but still holding together.

Salsa Verde Orzo:

While the cauliflower is braising, add the garlic, shallot, parsley, mint, and cilantro to a food processor.
Process for 1 to 2 minutes, until finely chopped.
With the processor running, add the olive oil, salt, red wine vinegar, and cumin.
Process until smooth, thick, and light green in color.
Add the orzo to a medium bowl, then spoon in the salsa verde.
Toss until the orzo is well coated.
Remove the cauliflower from the braising liquid, then return the pot to the stove over medium heat.
Reduce the braising liquid for 10 to 12 minutes, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Season with salt to taste.
Scoop the orzo onto a serving platter, then place the cauliflower on top.
Spoon the reduced braising liquid over the cauliflower, then garnish with the chopped parsley.
Serve warm, and enjoy!