Festive Cauliflower Niçoise
This Festive Cauliflower Niçoise is a vibrant and colorful dish that's sure to impress your guests, especially during the holiday season. The blend of tender cauliflower florets, sweet sautéed onions, and juicy tomatoes creates a harmonious balance of flavors that are both comforting and refreshing. Originating from the classic 1973 Good Housekeeping cookbook, this recipe offers a unique twist on the traditional Niçoise salad, making it a perfect centerpiece for your Christmas table. Served warm or at room temperature, this dish not only delights the palate but also brings a festive touch to your dining experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
medium cauliflower
1 (cut into florets)
pinch of salt
1 (for cooking the cauliflower)
small onion
1 (peeled and sliced thinly)
firm tomatoes
0.5 lb (peeled, halved, seeded, and cut into squares)
butter
1 ounce (for sautéing (approximately 1 tablespoon))
garlic clove
1 (peeled and crushed)
fresh ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
chopped parsley
1 tablespoon (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Begin by dividing the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. In a large pot of salted water, bring to a boil and cook the cauliflower for about 10 minutes, or until tender but still crisp. Drain well and set aside.
2
While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare the Niçoise mixture. Peel the onion and slice it very thinly. For the tomatoes, blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transfer to an ice bath. Once cooled, peel, halve, and seed the tomatoes before cutting them into small squares.
3
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sliced onion and sauté until they turn soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4
Stir the diced tomatoes and the crushed garlic into the skillet with the onions. Cook for another 5 minutes until heated through, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season generously with fresh ground black pepper to taste.
5
To serve, arrange the cooked cauliflower in a serving bowl and top generously with the warm tomato-onion mixture. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a pop of color.
6
Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy this delightful holiday dish!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Festive Cauliflower Niçoise?
It is a vibrant and colorful dish featuring tender cauliflower florets topped with a warm tomato and onion mixture, offering a unique twist on the classic Niçoise salad.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This recipe originates from the classic 1973 Good Housekeeping cookbook.
How do I prepare the cauliflower?
Divide the cauliflower into bite-sized florets and boil them in salted water for about 10 minutes until tender but still crisp.
How do I peel the tomatoes for this recipe?
Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath before peeling, halving, and seeding them.
Is Festive Cauliflower Niçoise vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as vegetarian.
At what temperature should I serve this dish?
This dish can be served either warm or at room temperature.
What ingredients are in the Niçoise mixture?
The mixture consists of thinly sliced onion, diced firm tomatoes, butter, and crushed garlic.
How much butter is required?
The recipe calls for 1 ounce of butter, which is approximately 1 tablespoon, for sautéing the onions.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the sliced onions in melted butter for about 5 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
How should the tomatoes be cut?
After peeling and seeding, the tomatoes should be cut into small squares.
What seasoning is recommended for the tomato-onion mixture?
The mixture should be seasoned generously with fresh ground black pepper to taste.
What garnish is used for this dish?
The dish is finished with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a pop of color.
Can this dish be served for Christmas?
Yes, it is specifically described as a perfect centerpiece for a Christmas table.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
The recipe requires 8 ingredients: cauliflower, salt, onion, tomatoes, butter, garlic, black pepper, and parsley.
How long does it take to cook the tomatoes and garlic?
Cook the diced tomatoes and crushed garlic with the onions for another 5 minutes until heated through.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe recommends using 0.5 lb of firm tomatoes.
How is the garlic prepared?
The garlic clove should be peeled and crushed before being added to the skillet.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to divide the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
What should the texture of the cauliflower be after boiling?
The cauliflower should be tender but still maintain a crisp texture.
How do I assemble the final dish?
Arrange the cooked cauliflower in a serving bowl and top it generously with the warm tomato-onion mixture.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy side dish.
How should the onion be sliced?
The onion should be peeled and sliced very thinly.
What kind of salt is used?
A pinch of salt is used in the boiling water to cook the cauliflower.
What type of pepper is best for this recipe?
Fresh ground black pepper is recommended for seasoning.
How much parsley is needed?
One tablespoon of chopped parsley is suggested for the garnish.
What is the main vegetable in this Niçoise twist?
The main vegetable used is a medium-sized cauliflower.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include cauliflower, niçoise, christmas, vegetarian, holiday, healthy, side dish, and festive.
Is this recipe suitable for a holiday meal?
Yes, it is designed to bring a festive touch to your dining experience during the holiday season.
Does the recipe use oil?
No, the recipe uses butter for sautéing the vegetables.
What makes the tomatoes easier to peel?
Blanching them in boiling water for 30 seconds followed by an ice bath makes the skins easy to remove.