Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Romesco Recipes

Steps:

• Add 2 cups of the salt with the flour, egg whites and 1 cup water to a large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until completely mixed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
• Prepare a campfire or charcoal grill for cooking at medium-high heat (you'll know it's ready when you can hold your hand about 2 inches above the fire or grates for only 2 to 3 seconds).
• Put the cauliflower on a clean work surface, stem-side down, and rub the salt paste all over the florets until they are completely covered. Flip the cauliflower in your hands (you may want to flour your hands if the cauliflower is a little sticky); holding it by the exposed stem, gently nestle it into the coals. Cook, rotating occasionally by grasping the stem with grilling tongs, until the stem is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife and the crust is blackened all over, 35 to 40 minutes. Try not to crack the crust so that it stays sealed and the cauliflower can steam while it roasts. Transfer to a baking sheet and let cool for 5 minutes, then use tongs to crack the crust from the cauliflower and discard it.
• While the cauliflower is cooking, put the bell peppers in the coals and cook, turning frequently with the tongs, until blackened. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and cover with a plate to steam and soften, about 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel the skin from the peppers, remove all the seeds and discard skin and seeds. Set peppers aside.
• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the garlic along with the bread pieces. Cook, stirring, until the bread is golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and add the red peppers, remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, vinegar, smoked paprika, tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt. Puree until smooth.

Steps:

• Heat the oven while you prepare the cauliflower: Place a heavy oven-proof skillet (a cast-iron skillet looks very nice) or a baking sheet in the oven and turn the heat to 375 degrees. Place a small pan of hot water on the floor of the oven, to create steam.
• Break off and discard the outer leaves from the cauliflower. Cut off the bottom of the stem, and then use the tip of a small, sharp knife to cut off the leaves close to the stem. Carefully cut out the hard core of the cauliflower, near the bottom. Leave the main stem intact and make sure not to cut through any of the florets.
• Rinse the cauliflower (leave the water clinging to the outside) and place on a work surface, core side up. Drizzle with olive oil and use your hands to rub over the cauliflower until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt.
• Place the cauliflower on the hot pan in the oven, core side down, and cook until very tender all the way through when pierced with a knife, at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours. During the cooking, baste 2 or 3 times with more olive oil. It should brown nicely. If you have a convection feature, use it toward the end of baking to brown the crust.
• Make the sauce: In a small frying pan, toast nuts over low heat, shaking often, just until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
• Soak anchovies, if using, for 5 minutes in cool water. Rinse and set aside on paper towels.
• In a food processor, combine almonds, anchovies, garlic and butter and pulse until smooth. Mix in oil, then vinegar. Mix in herbs and red pepper flakes, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• When cauliflower is tender, remove from the oven. (If desired, run it briefly under the broiler first to brown the surface; there is no need to do this if you used convection.)
• Serve cauliflower in the skillet or from a serving plate. Cut into wedges and spoon sauce around each wedge.