Best Harissa Cauliflower Pilaf Recipes

MOROCCAN HARISSA ROAST CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Tear open the New Mexico and guajillo chiles and discard the seeds and stems. (You may leave the seeds in if you prefer a spicy harissa.) Tear the chiles into large pieces and place them in a medium bowl. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the chiles and let stand until softened, about 20 minutes.
• Put the coriander and cumin seeds in a small skillet and cook, swirling often, over medium heat, until the seeds are fragrant and lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the spices to a blender and add the oil, garlic, lemon juice and 2 teaspoons kosher salt, then puree until smooth. Using tongs, add the chiles to the blender along with 1/2 cup of their soaking liquid (discard the rest) and puree until very smooth, about 2 minutes on high. Season the harissa with pepper and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower with 3/4 cup of the harissa until each floret is evenly coated. Spread the cauliflower onto a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with a little more vegetable oil. Roast, tossing halfway through, until the cauliflower is tender and the harissa has begun to caramelize, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer the cauliflower to a serving platter and sprinkle with the cilantro. Serve with the remaining 1/4 cup harissa on the side for dipping.

CAULIFLOWER & CHICKPEA PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, non-stick pan and add the onions. Cook over a medium heat for 5 mins until starting to turn golden. Stir in the curry paste and cook for 1 min. Add the rice, cauliflower and chickpeas, stirring to coat in the paste.
• Pour in the stock and stir. Cover and simmer for 10-15 mins until the rice and cauliflower are tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the almonds and coriander, then serve.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH HARISSA & CHICKPEA SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the marinade by combining all the ingredients with 1½ tsp sea salt in a mixing bowl and stirring until well combined. Remove any leaves from the cauliflower and slice them lengthways. Put the cauliflower leaf slices in a bowl with a pinch of salt. Set aside for later.
• Cut the cauliflower into thick slices about 1½cm-2cm thick - don't worry if some of the florets break off, it's all being roasted. Oil a large roasting tray and tip in the cauliflower slices and florets. Pour over the marinade and stir to coat, then cover with foil and marinate for at least 2 hrs, but you could leave it in the fridge all day or overnight if you wanted.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roast the cauliflower covered with foil for 40-45 mins. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the olive oil with the cumin seeds in a heavy-bottomed frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and fry, stirring, for 8-10 mins until starting to caramelise. Tip in the chopped tomatoes and some seasoning. Turn the heat up slightly and cook, continuing to stir, for 6-8 mins until reduced, then add in the garlic, harissa and butter, and stir to combine. Blitz in a food processor until smooth, then pour back into the pan, add the chickpeas and cauliflower leaves, and warm through for a minute or two.
• Remove the foil from the cauliflower and return the tray to the oven for 10 mins to caramelise. Stir the tahini and olive oil into the yogurt in a bowl and season. Once the cauliflower is ready, divide the warm sauce between plates, then top with the cauliflower slices and tahini yogurt. Scatter over the almonds. Serve with a well-dressed salad of crunchy leaves.