Page 55 of Sex On A Plate

PARMESAN CAULIFLOWER

DIFFICULTY: *Yawn*

TIME: 30 minutes, including eating it.

What you’ll need from the cupboard: A cookie sheet and a sharp knife. A large mixing bowl. A serving platter. A spatula with a sharp edge.

What you’ll need from the pantry: Olive oil. Garlic salt. Paprika. Powdered cayenne pepper. Salt. Pepper. A head of cauliflower. 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese. Pam Cooking Spray.

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This is one of the few things in the world of eating that’s healthy and actually tastes good. I’ve never had anyone turn their nose up at this dish, and I’ve served it to many. The only trick to cooking this is that you have the flat edges against the cookie sheet when you broil it.

This ensures the edges get caramelized well, and it’s that process that provides the nutty flavor you’re after.

Let’s get started.

Preheat the oven to 450, because this is going to be ready to cook in a quick.

At the base of the stem, cut the green leaves away from the head of cauliflower.

Discard the greenery.

Cut the cauliflower into pieces that have flat edges, making each of them the size you’d prefer to eat. Toss the pieces in the mixing bowl. As you cut it up, little pieces of the florets will break off and bounce around.

Gather them up and toss everything in the mixing bowl. With the exception of these marble-sized pieces, give everything a flat edge, if possible.

After the entire head (don’t waste anything, including the stem and heart) is cut and in the bowl, drizzle about 3 tablespoons of olive oil over it.

Toss by hand.

Spray the cookie sheet with Pam.

Transfer the cauliflower to the cookie sheet, placing everything flat side down.

Salt and pepper liberally.

Sprinkle a little dust from ALL of the above spices on everything. A light dusting. Yes, everything.

Slide the cookie sheet into the oven and change the setting to broil.

Broil on high for about 12 minutes, or until the bottom edges are browned. This will give a texture that’s cooked well, but not so tender that it’ll fall apart.

Scrape from the cookie sheet with the sharp edge of the spatula in a brisk motion, using caution not to scrape away all the browned bits.

Transfer to a large platter (in one layer) and sprinkle parmesan cheese over everything.

Serve immediately.

This goes well with damned near everything. From steaks to sandwiches, you can’t go wrong here.

I often eat a head of cauliflower prepared like this for a meal.

It’s that good.

Enjoy.