Best Braised Cauliflower With Bacon Recipes

BRAISED CAULIFLOWER WITH BACON

Steps:

• Remove stem from cauliflower (but you can keep the leaves, if any -- they're delicious!).
• Sauté garlic and bacon in olive oil in a large heavy pot until lightly browned. Add onions and continue to sauté until onions are softened.
• Add cauliflower stem-side down. Pour tomatoes over and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for about an hour or until done (will depend on size of cauliflower -- mine took about 70 minutes).
• Remove cauliflower, bring sauce to simmer and let reduce for a little while, then pour over cauliflower and serve.

GRILLED CAULIFLOWER WITH BACON AND BRIE

Steps:

• In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy, 7 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Reduce heat to medium, then add the flour to the fat in the pan and whisk until smooth. Cook, stirring often, until nutty and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the milk in a slow steady stream while whisking constantly. Whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in the Brie, 1 teaspoon of the salt and the nutmeg, stirring until the Brie is melted. Add 3/4 of the bacon and stir to combine. Remove from the heat and keep warm while you prepare the cauliflower.
• Preheat a grill to medium high and wipe down the grates with a towel dipped in canola oil to clean and create a nonstick surface. Drizzle the cauliflower florets with olive oil and season with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Grill cauliflower until it is caramelized and charred on all sides, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the grill and place on a large platter. While still hot, spoon the bacon and Brie mixture over the top. Garnish with the remaining crispy bacon and parsley.

WHOLE POT-ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH TOMATOES AND ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 450 degrees.
• Trim any wilted leaves and brown bits off the cauliflower, but leave healthy leaves. Put the cauliflower on its side on a cutting board. As if coring a tomato, core the base of the cauliflower: insert a small sharp knife about 1 inch into the base of the stem, make a circular cut to loosen the cone-shaped core, then pry it out and discard.
• In a deep, heavy ovenproof pot (with a lid), large enough to hold the whole cauliflower, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower cored side up; it should sizzle. Brown the exterior, turning it occasionally with tongs for even browning. This should take about 5 minutes; reduce the heat as needed to prevent scorching. Carefully turn over and brown the other side lightly, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the cauliflower to a plate and add garlic, anchovies and rosemary to the pot. Stir until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, white wine, chiles and salt. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Return cauliflower to pot, cored side down. Baste with the tomato liquid and pile some of the solids on top. Simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes to thicken the tomatoes.
• Cover the pot, place in the oven and roast until tender, 30 to 45 minutes; a knife will go into the thick stems with almost no resistance. Check on the tomato sauce every 10 minutes or so; it should be punchy and intense but not too thick, so add a glug of wine if it seems to be getting too dry.
• Transfer the cauliflower head to a serving plate or shallow bowl and cut in half, quarters or thick slices. Spoon on all the tasty stuff left in the pot. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs. Serve immediately or at room temperature, passing salt and red pepper flakes at the table.

TWICE BAKED CAULIFLOWER WITH BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a large, square baking dish with cooking spray.
• Put cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl and cook in microwave oven until tender, about 6 minutes.
• Blend cauliflower in a food processor until smooth; add sour cream, yogurt, and butter and process again until smooth.
• Mix blended cauliflower mixture in a bowl with 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, bacon bits, chives, garlic, and black pepper; spread into the prepared baking dish and top with remaining Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven on the middle rack until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Switch oven to 'broil' and continue baking until the top is golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes more.

BACON CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine cauliflower, bacon, cheese, green pepper and onion. In another bowl, combine mayonnaise and sugar; spoon over cauliflower mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.