Best Caramelized Cauliflower Recipes

CAULIFLOWER AND CARAMELIZED ONION TART

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 425°F. Toss cauliflower with 1 tablespoon olive oil in large bowl. Spread on large rimmed baking sheet, spacing apart. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes; turn florets over. Continue roasting until tender, about 25 minutes longer. Cool cauliflower, then thinly slice. Drizzle with truffle oil; toss. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
• Press pie crust onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Line pie crust with foil; fill with pie weights. Bake crust 20 minutes. Remove foil and pie weights; bake until crust is golden, about 5 minutes, pressing crust with back of fork if bubbles form. Cool crust. Maintain oven temperature.
• Heat remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until onion is deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Cool slightly. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Store crust at room temperature. Cover and chill cauliflower and onion separately.
• Brush bottom and sides of crust with mustard. Spread onion in crust. Arrange cauliflower evenly over. Set tart on rimmed baking sheet. Whisk eggs and next 4 ingredients in medium bowl. Stir in Gruyère. Pour mixture over filling in tart pan; sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until tart is golden and center is set, about 40 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool 15 minutes before serving.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT-SQUASH SOUP WITH CAULIFLOWER, CARAMELIZED ONION, AND RAISIN VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring squash, 1 cup cauliflower, water (or low-sodium chicken stock), and jam to a boil.Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Seasonwith salt and pepper andgarnish with cauliflower florets. Servewith bread spreadwith raisin vinaigrette.

CAULIFLOWER WITH CARAMELIZED RED ONIONS

Steps:

• Put butter in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat.
• Add onions and cook, stirring periodically, until the onions are a deep golden color, about 20 minutes (The longer the onion cooks the more frequently it needs to be stirred).
• Add balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
• Cook until most of the moisture evaporates and onions are deep brown, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, steam (12 to 15 minutes) or microwave (8 to 10 minutes) the cauliflower until tender but still firm.
• Put cauliflower on a platter and top with caramelized onions.
• Sprinkle with pine nuts.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER PLAIN AND FANCY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the cauliflower in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle over the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Roast until the cauliflower is lightly caramelized, turning once, about 30 minutes. Serve as is for the plain version or proceed with the variation below for the fancy version.
• Heat a small pan, and then add olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Saute for 30 seconds. Add the capers and raisins and cook for another minute.
• Drizzle the caramelized cauliflower with the caper mixture and parsley and toss to coat well. Serve warm or at room temperature.

LEMON GRILLED SALMON WITH CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER AND HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the salt, sugar and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Combine both lemon zests and coat the salmon fillets with the zest. Pour a thin layer of salt/sugar mixture on a cookie sheet limed with parchment. Place the salmon fillets on the salt/sugar mix. Pour the remaining mixture over the salmon. Allow to sit refrigerated for 2-1/2 hours. Rub the cure off the salmon using dry paper towels. Do not rinse. Split the salmon fillets in half horizontally. Grill the salmon, turning once, until cooked to desired doneness.
• Cauliflower: Slice the cauliflower into 3/4-inch slices from the top to bottom. Chop any excess cauliflower into 1/4-inch pieces. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over a medium-low flame until hot. Brush the cauliflower slices on one side with grapeseed oil and place in the hot skillet oiled side down. Saute until well browned (approximately 8 minutes). Brush the exposed side of the cauliflower slices and turn over. Saute until well browned. Season with salt and pepper, remove from skillet and keep warm. Add the chopped cauliflower to the skillet and saute with the remaining oil until well browned. Set aside for herb salad.
• Herb Salad: Combine the salmon (chicken) glaze and lemon juice in a hand held blender cup. Slowly add the lemon oil, while blending. Season with salt and pepper. Mix the herbs, reserved cauliflower and lemon zest with 2 tablespoons of dressing. Set aside.
• To plate: Place equal portions of sliced cauliflower in the center of 4 warm plates. Place a grilled salmon fillet over each cauliflower slice and top with herb salad. Sauce the plate with the remaining salmon dressing. Yield: 4 servings
• Put chicken stock in a medium sauce pot over a medium low flame. Simmer to reduce until thick enough to lightly coat a spoon.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 450˚. In a skillet, warm 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and stir to coat with the oil. Stir in ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring frequently and reducing the heat if necessary to prevent burning, until the onions are soft and deep golden brown, about 30 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the tahini with ½ cup water, ½ teaspoon salt, the lemon juice and the garlic. Set aside. 3. Grease a large baking sheet with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the cauliflower and turn to coat well with the oil. Spread the cauliflower on the baking sheet and season with salt. Roast until browned but not burned on the bottom, about 15 minutes. Turn the cauliflower and continue to roast until tender and browned on the second side, about 5 minutes longer. 4. Arrange the cauliflower on a serving plate. Garnish with the caramelized onions and parsley, and drizzle with the tahini sauce. Serve immediately, passing any remaining tahini sauce at the table.

SCALLOPS W/ CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER & CAPER-RAISIN EMULSION

Steps:

• Heat the raisins, capers and their liquid, 4 tablespoons of the butter and water to a low simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat; cook 10 minutes.
• Cool 5 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a blender; blend until smooth; blend in vinegar, season with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and the nutmeg and pepper to taste; return mixture to the saucepan and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add cauliflower.
• Cook, turning, until brown and crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes.
• Season with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove cauliflower to a plate.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon of the butter to the skillet.
• Season scallops with remaining 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste; add scallops to skillet.
• Cook, turning once, until just opaque, about 4 minutes.
• Spoon raisin sauce onto plate; top with scallop slices, then with cauliflower slices and sprinkle with parsley; season with freshly grated nutmeg.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND ROASTED CAULIFLOWER TART

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 450F. Toss the cauliflower in the oil. Spread out onto a non stick baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 15, then flip. Cook 15 minutes more and remove from oven.
• 2. In a good skillet, bring 1 1/2 tbps of good olive oil to a shimmer. Add thin sliced Vidalia onions, add in a pinch or two of salt and pepper and stir, stir, stir...for about 30 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Don't ignore those fronds.
• 3. MAKE UP THAT DOUGH: I really hate working with pastry, but this was pretty harmless.
• 4. I used a whisk: Flour, cornstarch, salt and butter. Then add in the egg. I lost my pastry blender in the move to the lower 48 and had to use a fork....gave that up quick and used my grandma's fingers to get the pea sized effect I needed.
• 5. Smash that dough all together and roll it thin. Yes, I cheated and used plastic wrap as a medium. Transfer the dough to the tart pan and press in. Now lightly coat the dough with 1 TBSP Dijon mustard, bottom and sides.
• 6. Layering the Stuff: After pressing in the tart dough and brushing the bottom and sides with dijon, add in the onions. Top with cauliflower.
• 7. In a bowl, mix the eggs, marscapone, cream, white pepper, nutmeg and Guyere. Pour over the top of the tart. I had to use my hands to redistribute the cheesiness.
• 8. Top with 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake 350F for 40 minutes.

CAULIFLOWER & CARAMELIZED ONION TART

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 425°F
• Toss cauliflower with 1 tablespoon olive oil in large bowl.
• Spread on large rimmed baking sheet, spacing apart.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast 15 minutes; turn florets over.
• Continue roasting until tender, about 25 minutes longer.
• Cool cauliflower, then thinly slice.
• Drizzle with truffle oil; toss.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
• Press pie crust onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom.
• Line pie crust with foil; fill with pie weights.
• Bake crust 20 minutes.
• Remove foil and pie weights; bake until crust is golden, about 5 minutes, pressing crust with back of fork if bubbles form.
• Cool crust.
• Maintain oven temperature.
• Heat remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat.
• Add onion; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Cook until onion is deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes.
• Cool slightly.
• DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead.
• Store crust at room temperature.
• Cover and chill cauliflower and onion separately.
• Brush bottom and sides of crust with mustard.
• Spread onion in crust.
• Arrange cauliflower evenly over.
• Set tart on rimmed baking sheet.
• Whisk eggs and next 4 ingredients in medium bowl.
• Stir in Gruyere.
• Pour mixture over filling in tart pan; sprinkle with Parmesan.
• Bake until tart is golden and center is set, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer to rack; cool 15 minutes before serving.

CAULIFLOWER MASH WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND ROASTED GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven or toaster oven to 425.
• Wrap the garlic in aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes or just until tender. Cool then squeeze out the garlic. Set aside.
• In a skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat and cook the onions for 5 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, vinegar and cinnamon. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the onions are golden, about 10 minutes.
• Steam or broil the cauliflower just until tender about 5 - 7 minutes. Drain and place in a food processor with the stock, olive oil, salt and pepper. Puree until smooth. Stir in the onions and garlic until combined.
• Garnish with parsley.

CAULIFLOWER AND CARAMELIZED ONION TART (LIGHTER VERSION)

Steps:

• Prepare a 9-inch-diameter tart pan with cooking spray.
• Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until onion is deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spread onion in pan. Arrange cauliflower over evenly. Set tart on rimmed baking sheet.
• Whisk eggs and next 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Stir in Gruyère. Pour mixture over filling in tart pan; sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until tart is golden and center is set, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer to rack; cool 15 minutes before serving.

ORECCHIETTE WITH CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER, SHALLOTS, AND HERBED BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Fill a large pot with water, and bring to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt, and return to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until just tender. Immediately transfer cauliflower to ice-water bath; let cool about 1 minute before draining.
• Combine the breadcrumbs, mint, parsley, red pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until crumbly and well combined; set aside.
• Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt and return to a boil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer cauliflower to a plate. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the orecchiette to the boiling water and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Add drained pasta to skillet, along with cauliflower, and some of the pasta cooking liquid, and toss ingredients together for a few minutes; add more water to the pan as necessary to keep pasta moist.
• Divide pasta evenly among 4 bowls. Sprinkle each with a tablespoon of breadcrumbs. Serve immediately.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER WITH SAGE

Steps:

• Remove the green outer leaves and cut cross sections of the cauliflower into ½-inch (1¼-cm) thick slices. Remove any parts of the fibrous core of the cauliflower that remain.
• Transfer the slices to a large, straight-sided skillet and add enough cold water to come halfway up the sides of the cauliflower, about ¼-inch (6mm) deep. Add the butter, sugar, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Cook over high heat until the water evaporates and the cauliflower is golden brown on one side, 10-12 minutes. After the cauliflower begins to caramelize, reduce the heat to low.
• Pick and slice the sage leaves. Once the cauliflower is deeply browned and the sugar has caramelized, rotate the slices to promote even browning. After a few moments, flip the cauliflower to cook the other side, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with sage, hazelnuts, and freshly grated Parmesan.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the head of cauliflower on a cutting board, and slice it top-down into ¼-inch slices, some of which will crumble.
• Toss cauliflower in a large bowl with plenty of olive oil and a bit of salt, spread it in a single layer on a heavy sheet pan (or two, if one looks crowded), and roast until golden brown and caramelized, turning bits and slices once or twice, about 25 minutes. Devour.

BUFFALO MEDALLION WITH CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER, WHITE WINE DEMI, AND WHITE TRUFFLE

Steps:

• To make the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Distribute the cauliflower evenly on a nonstick baking sheet, brush with the truffle oil, and season with salt, pepper, and a touch of nutmeg. Roast until tender and a little brown, and then sprinkle the Parmesan on top and return the pan to the oven to brown the cheese, about 3 minutes.
• To make the buffalo: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Season the medallions with salt and pepper. Heat the butter and garlic in a large saute pan set over high heat. When the butter solids turn brown, add the buffalo medallions and sear, in batches if needed, until colored on both sides. Transfer the buffalo to a baking pan. Roast until medium rare or to your liking, 5 to 10 minutes, keeping in mind that buffalo meat is very lean and gets dry when cooked beyond medium doneness
• Meanwhile, return the saute pan to medium high heat, add the wine, and let it evaporate, stirring with a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan drippings stuck to the bottom of the pan. Add the demiglace, bring to a boil, and strain the sauce. Lastly, add some truffle oil and keep the sauce ready to serve.
• To serve: Place a buffalo medallion off-center on the plate, fan some cauliflower against it, spoon sauce over the top. Slice fresh truffle over everything and drizzle some olive oil over the top.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER PLAIN AND FANCY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the cauliflower in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle over the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Roast until the cauliflower is lightly caramelized, turning once, about 30 minutes. Serve as is for the plain version or proceed with the variation below for the fancy version. Heat a small pan, and then add olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Saute for 30 seconds. Add the capers and raisins and cook for another minute. Drizzle the caramelized cauliflower with the caper mixture and parsley and toss to coat well. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER WITH HONEY AND SMOKED PAPRIKA

Steps:

• In a large fry pan over medium heat, warm 2tbsp. of the olive oil and melt the butter. Add the cauliflower florets; sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and toss gently to coat the florets. Spread the florets into 1 layer and cook, without stirring, until the undersides are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip each piece over and continue cooking, undisturbed, until evenly browned, 3-4 minutes. Repeat until all sides are evenly browned, 3-5 minutes more.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoons olive oil, the shallot, red pepper flakes and paprika to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallot is softened, 2 -3 minutes. Add the honey and water and saute until the liquid reduces to a glaze, 2 -3 minutes. Squeeze the juice from the lemon half over the cauliflower, stir to combine and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and black pepper.
• Transfer the cauliflower to a warmed bowl and serve immediately.

CAULIFLOWER AND CARAMELIZED ONION TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the cauliflower with a generous amount of olive oil to coat, as well as salt and pepper to taste. Place the cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes, making sure to flip once or twice along the way. The florets should just be getting golden. Remove the florets from the oven and set aside. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees F.
• While the florets are roasting, you'll caramelize the onion. Cut the onion in half and thinly slice it, then add about a tablespoon of olive oil to a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion as well as a dash of salt and pepper to the pan.
• Cook the onion for about seven minutes, stirring occasionally, until it gets tender and translucent -- then reduce the heat to low. (Add a pinch of sugar once you reduce the heat for a little sweetness.) Then, let the onion slices cook on low until they become a deep golden or brown color - it takes about 20 minutes for them to caramelize. Stir them often enough so they don't burn the bottom of the pan, but make sure they have enough time to sit in the oil and caramelize. Add a little water to the pan if they start to stick too much to the bottom.
• Once the cauliflower is cool, thinly slice the florets so they are about 1/4-inch thick. Toss with a drizzle of truffle oil (if desired) and set aside.
• Mix together the eggs, mascarpone, cream, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Then, add the Gruyere (or substitute) to the mixture.
• Press your crust into a 9-inch tart pan, trimming any excess from the edges with a knife. If the crust didn't come refrigerated, you'll want to refrigerate it for 30 minutes after pressing into the pan and before assembling the tart.
• Place the pastry shell on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any drips) and coat the bottom of the pastry shell with Dijon mustard (the mustard layer should only be 1/8-inch thick). Then, spread the onions evenly over the bottom of the pastry shell, followed by the roasted cauliflower.
• Pour the cheese and cream mixture over the onions and cauliflower, and then top the tart with the grated Parmesan cheese. Place the baking sheet into the oven and bake for about 40 minutes - you'll want the top to be golden brown and the center to be set.
• Let the tart cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER AND ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Place a large soup pot over medium-high heat with the EVOO. Once the EVOO is hot, add the onion and cook until it begins to caramelize. Add the cauliflower and celery and cook, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes, until the veggies are nice and brown.
• Add the garlic, thyme, and some salt and freshly ground black pepper and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes. Add about 1 cup of the chicken stock and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pot.
• Remove the pot from the heat and, working in batches, transfer to a food processor. Puree until completely smooth, adding a little splash of stock to moisten the mixture if necessary.
• Once the cauliflower is nice and smooth, transfer the puree back to the soup pot and add enough chicken stock to achieve a thick soup consistency, anywhere from 3-5 cups. Turn the heat back to medium-high, add the bay leaf and bring up to a bubble. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
• While the soup is simmering, make the gorgonzola toasts: place the baguette slices on a cookie sheet, drizzle with a little EVOO and season with some freshly ground black pepper. Add the walnut halves to one corner of the cookie sheet. Transfer to the oven and cook until the bread and nuts are toasted and golden, a couple of minutes. Remove the toasted nuts to your cutting board, give them a rough chop and reserve.
• Flip the toasts over, spread on some of the Gorgonzola, then return them to the oven for a few minutes to warm up the cheese. Remove the toast from the oven and sprinkle with the walnuts.
• Remove bay leaf from the soup and discard. Ladle the soup into bowls, top each portion with a Gorgonzola toast and serve.
• This is one of many "Yum-o!" recipes - it's good and good for you. To find out more about Yum-o!, Rachael's nonprofit organization, go to www.yum-o.org.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH FRESH CRABMEAT

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Stir in cauliflower and slowly cook, being careful not to burn, until the cauliflower begins to show a caramel color.
• Add the carrots, celery and onion and continue to cook for two minutes.
• Add the flour and stir continuously until the mixture is fully mixed; it should have a paste like consistency.
• Add the chicken broth, bring to a boil and cook while stirring for one minute.
• Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
• Ladle the soup into four bowls and top each with one-ounce of crabmeat.
• Garnish with smoked paprika and serve.