Traditional Greek Braised Cauliflower Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
3
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
Mediterranean, Greek, Vegan
Traditional Greek Braised Cauliflower Recipe
Description
Traditional Greek Braised Cauliflower Recipe features cauliflower and potato cooked together in olive oil with fragrant whole spices like allspice berries, cassia cinnamon stick, and clove buds. The ingredients are gently browned then simmered with tomato paste and salt until the cauliflower is very soft but intact, and the sauce thickens without becoming watery. This slow cooking melds the tomato and spice flavors throughout the vegetables, creating a savory, fragrant dish.
The texture is tender and silky, with the potatoes adding body and mild starchiness. The warm spices lend subtle aromatic notes rather than strong heat, complementing the sweetness of the tomato paste. The dish is commonly served warm or at room temperature and is finished with crumbled feta cheese on top, providing a salty, creamy contrast to the tender braised vegetables.
It works well as a vegetarian main dish or a side to grilled meats and pairs nicely with rustic bread to soak up the sauce. The recipe’s simplicity and long cooking time allow the flavors to deepen gradually.
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower medium head, washed and separated in medium sized florets
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 potato cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 allspice berries
- 1 cassia cinnamon stick form
- 3 clove buds
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, or deep pan heat the olive oil, add the cauliflower, potatoes, and spices, pepper and sauté, browning the cauliflower a bit.
- Add the tomato paste and 1 teaspoon salt, swirl it around heating it as well.
- Add some hot water until cauliflower is about half way covered (you can always add more later if needed). Stir gently.
- Lower heat, assemble cauliflower so that that stems face down. Cover pot and let it simmer for about 30-50 minutes (check that the cauliflower is very soft, but not falling apart, also the sauce should not be watery).
- Serve warm or at room temperature, spoon some sauce on top and some feta cheese.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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