Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Anchovy Sauce

3 min read
Make this gloriously golden roasted cauliflower as an ideal dinner party main. Serve with buttery cauliflower leaves and an addictive anchovy sauce.

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

Cooking Time: 1 Hour

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole large cauliflower
  • Olive oil, for drizzling
  • 2 banana shallots, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • Good pinch of dried chilli flakes
  • 8 salted anchovies, finely chopped
  • 600g tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 75ml vegetable stock
  • 100ml double cream
  • 50g salted butter

Method:

  1. Heat oven to 200°C/180°C/gas 6. Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and set them aside to use later. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and blanch the cauliflower for 4-5 mins. Drain well.

  2. Put the cauliflower in a roasting tin and drizzle all over with olive oil. Season well and roast for 40-50 mins until tender and golden.

  3. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Drizzle a little oil in a pan and gently fry the shallots for 10 mins until softened. Add half the garlic and the chilli flakes and cook for a minute more. Add the anchovies and let them dissolve, then add the tomatoes and stock.

  4. Season and cook for 10-15 mins until the tomatoes have broken down. Add the cream and bubble for another minute.

  5. Heat the butter in a separate pan with the rest of the garlic and fry the cauliflower leaves with plenty of seasoning. Serve the cauliflower on the buttery leaves, with the anchovy sauce spooned over the top.

Credit: José Pizarro