CAULIFLOWER with SAFFRON

SAFFRON CAULIFLOWER

                                    (taken from PLENTY, by Yotam Ottolenghi, page106

Serves: 4

Prep Time: approximately 20 minutes (if you use pitted olives)

Rating: Excellent!  Easy, fast, fragrant, and pretty.  Versatile, full of flavor, great in any season. 

11/2 tsp saffron (crush in your fingers)

1/3 cup boiling water

1 med cauliflower divided into medium florets (not too small or they will cook too fast)

1 large red onion, sliced in thin slices

2/3  cup golden raisins (if they are very dry, soak them in water for a few minutes, then drain)

½ cup good-quality green olives, pitted and cut lengthways in half

4 tbsp olive oil

2 bay leaves

Salt and pepper

4 tbsp roughly chopped parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 

Put saffron strands in a small bowl and pour over the boiling water.  Leave to infuse for a minute, then pour the saffron and water into a large mixing bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients, except the parsley, and mix everything together well with your hands.

Transfer the mix to a medium/large ovenproof dish,(a large skillet will do) cover with foil and place in the oven.  Cook for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender but still a bit firm, not soft.  Halfway through the cooking time remove the dish from the oven and stir well, then cover again and return to bake.

Once cauliflower is cooked, take it out of the oven, remove the foil and allow to cool down slightly before stirring in the parsley.  Taste and adjust the seasoning, then serve warm or at room temperature.

Hints and Helps

-buy GOOD saffron and use a little more than recommended.  Expect to pay some money for it.  An Indian grocery store is a good bet.

- but pitted olives (it takes too long to pit them).  Whole Foods or deli salad bar is a good place to look.

- golden raisins can be purchased at any grocery store that has baking products. 

This is a great dish as a central item for a lunch or light dinner, also a great companion to any fish or meat.   Travels well so can be taken to someone’s house as a contribution to a dinner party.