cogent cauliflower stew

I’m always in a battle when it comes down to cauliflower. Hence the name for this recipe card!

Cauliflower always gives me this nice set of straightforward arguments as to why I should not hate it. And I’m always replying with illogical responses like “but you make people burp – like ew!”

I don’t know what makes me love this dish so much now, because I don’t like red meat, and I don’t like cauliflower. I think it’s just that slowly – overtime, as my mum made this recipe time and again, I gave in. I don’t “hate” cauliflower, I just hate it when people fry it and eat it (something done widely in Arab countries), or when they don’t serve it with a large amount of spices to overcome it’s cauliflower-ness.

Also referred to as “Syrian Cauliflower Stew” if it helps to know

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

200 g minced meat

1 1/2 cauliflower heads

3-4 cloves crushed garlic

1/3 cup finely diced coriander

1.3 L water or thereabouts

1/2 stick cinnamon

10 peppercorns

salt, pepper, baharat

 

Method:

Wash and remove the leaves of the cauliflowers.

Break into large chunks, using a knife to assist you in cutting up the pieces from the core.

Heat up the deep fryer, when a piece of flat bread turns rosy, the oil is ready for use.

Pop in the cauliflower pieces, turning them within the oil frequently so they can evenly cook, be sure the core/stem is in the oil for a longer time than the top because the top cooks easily.

When the pieces are a faint golden colour, remove from the deep fryer and set aside to release excess oil.

In a non-stick tefal pot, add the meat and a large pinch of salt, pepper and baharat.

Cook for 2 minutes over medium-high heat.

Add the cauliflower pieces into the pot, keeping their stems towards the bottom of the pot (almost like planting mini trees in meaty dirt – hehehe).

The pieces don’t all have to be in one layer, just be sure to put the bigger ones down the bottom.

Boil 1.3 L of water in a kettle.

Add enough of the boiled water to immerse the cauliflowers.

Break up half a stick of cinnamon and add to the pot.

Add the peppercorns and a large pinch of salt. Taste the broth, the salt content should be just over a comfortable saltiness.

Cover the pot and cook on high heat for 10 minutes.

Check on the pot’s contents stirring very carefully.

Reduce to medium and cook for a further 15 minutes.

Next add the coriander and garlic to the pot, cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Dish up and serve with pita bread.

This dish is not eaten with a knife, fork or spoon – you rip up pieces of flat bread large enough to hold comfortably in 4 fingers, then you “clamp” onto a bite sized serving and munch along! Eat how you desire.

Definitely needs a large dash of lemon juice and cumin.

Devour!

About these ads