Cauliflower is identified by its edible, rounded mass of curds. These curds are often mistakenly referred to as florets, but are actually undeveloped shoot tips. White cauliflower is the most commonly grown, but there are also cultivators with purple, green and even pink curds.
The best way to prepare your cauliflower is to simply wash it in cold preferably salted water. Cut away most of the out side leaves so that the cauliflower stands upright. If you make a cross in the base or cut out the first 2cm of the stalk this will ensure that it cooks quickly. It is recommended to soak your cauliflower for 10mins in salted water to draw out any insects hiding away inside.
Here is another simple recipe ..cauliflower fry.
Cauliflower fry
Preparation time: 10 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Ingredients:
1 medium size onion
1 medium size cauliflower
1/2 lemon
Method:
1. Wash cauliflower in hot water [you can optionally place the whole flower in hot water with pinch of salt for about 5 mins]
2. Chop onions lengthwise and keep them aside.
3. Heat about 2 tbsp of oil in a non-stick pan.
4. Put some jeera and dhania seeds. when they splutter , add the onions and add a pinch of turmeric. Remember to always cook at medium heat setting. High heat only dehydrates food and hence burns it faster. While the onions are frying, you can cut cauliflower into small florets. you dont really need to chop it fine. Just need to separte big florets or curds into smaller ones. so once they cook they would still retain their shape rather than become pulpy.
5. Once the onions are pinkish brown in color, add the florets. The trick to not making a pulp is this—add in 4 batches, each time mixing so all the onions and pieces mix evenly.
6. Once you are done with adding the florets, add salt to taste. Note: if you put a lid on your pan then all you would get is pulp, not fry. So if you want to see cauliflower florets retain their shape, don’t use lid until much later as I suggest in my next step.
7. Cauliflowers generally cook fast so it will take about 15 mins for the pieces to soften. If you want you can add lid for about a min or 2 [just before removing from heat] on sim heat.
9. Before removing from heat, add chilli powder and popula karam [recipe provided below] and mix well. You can even garnish it with lemon or coriander leaves.
