In our household its spring cleaning time. We are literally tearing down and cleaning up, to make and transform my condo into a joint expression of us. It’s hard to let go of some things, and fun to transform and refurbish others. It’s a long process with our joint schedules , but we are getting there, gradually. The Main room which houses the kitchen, living , and and dining room is now painted completely. Next task is to move all the furniture back, and declutter. I am actually selling some stuff on Ebay, so its fun to make a little cash while cleaning up.One thing I will not let go are my books! So while moving the large bookcases and bookstore paint the final long wall, I found an cookbook I have been looking for for two years!I’s that bad.Certain Someone says I collect, and don’t read books. I read them all.He’s just not here to see me do so most of the time, and when he is here I don’t have time to read.The cookbooks are endless source of reference for me. The long lost book was a bargain basement find of which I have never seen anything else like it.Terrines and Pates from the Brockhampton Healthy Home Cooking series. Filled with lots of old world type beautiful terrines in Aspic, it also has many ideas for light vegetable pates and terrines and desserts. Spicy Cauliflower Pate was a recipe I found I could manage without a trip to the store. I still lacked some ingredients, so I made some twists and variations for delicious dish. We ate this as starters for a normal Sunday dinner with meat (Lamb breast with the Rhubarb Onion Sauce from the previous post). However on Meatless Monday , it will be my lunch. I served it with some frozen whole wheat pizza dough I had, which I grilled in some oil,( seasoned with dried onion, herbs, and salt),to replicate a Naan style of bread. Again, using what I had with little fuss.Enjoy this flavorful starter. The ginger gives it a zesty bite.
Spicy Cauliflower Pate
inspired and adapted from Terrines and Pates
Brockhampton Healthy Home Cooking Series
* I changed some ingredients and proportions.
1 tablespoon Grape seed or Vegetable Oil
1/2 onion , diced
7 sun dried tomato pieces( in oil)
2 plum tomatoes chopped
4 garlic cloves chopped
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp paprika
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1/4 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp salt
1 cauliflower broken into small florets
1 inch ginger minced
Heat oil in a skillet on high. Add chopped onion, reduce heat to medium, and saute for 1 minute. Add chopped tomatoes, garlic, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, paprika , and garam masala ,dried minced onion, and salt.Continue to cook the mixture on medium until the tomatoes soften for the next five minutes.At this point the cauliflower florets and cover pan. Cook on medium low until softened for 15-20 minutes. You may need to add a bit of water so it doesn’t stick. Add minced ginger at the last few minutes of cooking.
Puree the cooled mixture wither in a food processor or use and immersion blender until a smooth paste ios formed. Transfer to serving dish and place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Serve at room temp ( allow to to come to). Garnish with Paprika. Serve with crackers, Naan, or Pita.
Puree the cooled mixture wither in a food processor or use and immersion blender until a smooth paste ios formed. Transfer to serving dish and place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Serve at room temp ( allow to to come to). Garnish with Paprika. Serve with crackers, Naan, or Pita.
To me, there is noting more liberating than spring cleaning and de-cluttering…..I did my office last week and it was so inspiring…
Cauliflower pate sounds like a good idea, Courtney…. I did over-indulge on the meat side this weekend…
Good for no-meat Fridays! 🙂
Okay, after you're done cleaning over there, you can come over here and clean my apartment. My address is… LOL!!
I actually like cauliflower, so I should definitely try out this dish. I love the decorations on top!
I really like that idea! What a scrumptious looking spread!
Cheers,
Rosa
I have this week set aside for spring cleaning, I have to do when hubby and son are away as they are both hoarders, and will never get rid of anything.
I have a collection of cookbooks too, my favourite ones are the second hand ones I have picked up – where you can see another woman has used it for many years. I love the history.
this is my second cauliflower recipe this morning I have to try, I have my work cut out for me.
I can empathise – I'm decluttering so I can sell up and buy a place with Mr CC. My weakness is also books and I'm putting them into storage while I sell – they are soooo heavy but I don't regret a single one of them!
mmmm… it seems like a delish way to prepare cauliflower, period, even if one doesn't go full-pate. the flavors seem incredible, and i'm always surprised how versatile cauliflower is. thanks for the ideas, as usual.
Wow – you're refurbing that whole long room? It's a big project for sure!! But it will be so great in the end, I'm sure (particularly if you keep finding long-lost things ;-)) I am in love with this recipe – definitely bookmarking it!
Hi Courtney! I've done my spring cleaning and it feels sooo good.
What feels just as good is reading your blog again… my computer was freezing everytime I clicked on your blog for a few months so I gave up. I'm back and all seems fine. Your blog rocks! What a woman, you just go from strength to strength… xoxo
Hi Courtney – I would love that cauliflower pate! Your presentation is awesome too.
Good luck with your renovations!
Please stop by later tonight, I am working on my Chicago restaurant post, it's taken a while, I just got back from Vegas! (Where I helped the local economy if you know what I mean).
Your friend,
Lori Lynn
It does look fantastic, Courtney!!! I love the paprika garnish on top :D.
Good luck and patience with the Spring Cleaning time! You should see my garage… we'll soon have to park on the street.
Spring cleaning is my jam. It's nice that after all this time, you're willing to sacrifice some of your space for CS. 😉
I love cauliflower and spice together. This is a lovely dish. And this is my year for terrines and pates! I'm gonna learn how to make them (meaty ones).
tasty and healthy? Me like.
I'm in the middle of a serious Spring cleaning as well.
It's a lot of work but I feel great once it's done.