Greek Inspired Cauliflower Stew

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 lemon
  • olive oil
  • 1 bulb of garlic
  • 2 red onions
  • 10 black olives, (stone in)
  • 300g new potatoes
  • ½ a bunch of fresh oregano, (15g)
  • 10 large ripe plum tomatoes
  • 1 head of cauliflower, ideally with leaves (800g) 
  • 200g fresh or frozen peas, or broad beans

METHOD:

  • Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6.
  • Use a speed-peeler to strip the lemon zest into a large casserole pan on a medium heat, then add 2 tablespoons of oil and the garlic bulb. Peel and quarter the onions and separate into petals, destone the olives, and slice the potatoes 1cm-thick. 
  • Add to the pan, pick in the oregano leaves and cook for 5 minutes, or until just starting to soften and colour. 
  • Quarter and add the tomatoes, then season to taste with sea salt and black pepper.
  • Pour 500ml of water into the pan and bring to the boil, stirring well and scraping up any sticky bits from the bottom.
  • Discard just the tatty outer leaves from the cauliflower, then cut a cross into the stalk and push it right down to the bottom of the pan. 
  • Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil, cover, then place in the oven for 1 hour, or until golden and caramelised, basting occasionally and removing the lid halfway through. 
  • Remove the cauliflower to a serving platter and pick out the garlic bulb, then place the pan back over a medium heat on the hob, stir in the peas or broad beans, and simmer for 5 minutes. 
  • Carefully squeeze all the garlic out of the skins and stir back into the pan. Taste and tweak the seasoning, if needed, then pour over the cauliflower and finish with a good squeeze of lemon 

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