There’s a world of warming, out-of-the-cold flavour to be had with these easy weeknight recipes, bringing light and cheer to your midwinter
RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING POLLYANNA COUPLAND
Cauliflower steak diane with poppy seed wedges
Serves 2
Hands-on time 30 min
Oven time 40 min
DON’T WASTE IT
The leftover cauliflower is ideal for making a soup or pureé. Don’t throw away the cauliflower leaves either – they’re delicious roasted with a drizzle of oil and a sprinkle of salt – or save them for making kimchi.
EASY SWAPS
No brandy to hand? Use white wine and simmer for a few minutes instead of setting it alight. It won’t be a true diane sauce but it’ll still be tasty.
• 2 large floury potatoes (such
as maris piper)
• Vegetable oil to coat and fry
• 1 tsp poppy seeds
• 1 cauliflower
• 30g unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves (2 bashed but
skins left on, 2 finely sliced)
• 6 thyme sprigs
• 1 banana shallot, finely
chopped
• 100g button mushrooms,
sliced
• 100ml cognac or brandy (see
Easy Swaps)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
(or vegetarian equivalent
such as Henderson’s Relish)
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 75ml vegetable stock
• 75ml double cream
• ¼ bunch parsley leaves,
finely chopped
• 200g baby leaf spinach
1 Heat the oven to 180ºC fan/gas 6. Slice the potatoes into thin wedges (about 8-12 per potato), then put on an oven tray and toss well with a drizzle of oil, the poppy seeds and a good pinch of salt. Roast in the oven for 35-40 minutes, tossing halfway through to get even, golden crispy edges.
2 As soon as the potatoes go in the oven, cut 2 thick (3cm) slices from the middle of the cauliflower to use as your steaks (see Don’t Waste It). Heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan, then put in the cauliflower steaks and cook until golden on each side. Add half the butter to the pan with the 2 bashed garlic cloves and the thyme sprigs then, once melted, use the infused butter to baste the cauliflower. Transfer the steaks to an oven tray, drizzling the butter over them, then season with salt and pepper. When the wedges have 10 minutes remaining, put the steaks in the oven to cook for 8-10 minutes.
3 Meanwhile, wipe the frying pan clean and add another dash of oil. Add the shallot, sliced garlic and mushrooms with the remaining butter and cook until soft (about 10 minutes). Add the cognac/brandy and c
