Mark Bittman introduced me to the concept of flexitarianism. His approach to food in his columns as well as in his cookbooks has been a major influence both on the blog and in my kitchen. I’m really happy to share his Cauliflower with Olives and Bread Crumbs as part of this week’s I Heart Cooking Clubs challenge.
This particular recipe is from Kitchen Express. Bittman recommends serving with some sausage or pan fried chicken thighs, but for lunch I’m happy with a big portion of the cauliflower with olives and breadcrumbs.
You will want to buy a small head of cauliflower for this, just about a pound before trimming. In an attempt to cut down on the total fat, I sauteed the cauliflower in salted water due to the vegan spread used to make the fresh breadcrumbs (see my Parmesan Crusted Flounder recipe for the general technique). I ended up having to add more oil to brown the breadcrumbs so I’m not sure there was any real “savings.” Any type of olive you like and have on hand will work, just make sure to either remove the pits or warn your guests. The slightly sweet and nutty flavor of the cauliflower contrasts with the salty bite of olive.
Ingredients
- 1 smallish head of cauliflower about a pound trimmed and roughly chopped
- olive oil for sauteeing
- 1 - 2 garlic cloves minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- a large handful of pitted olives
- chopped parsley for garnish
- about a cup of fresh bread crumbs I whirled my bread in a food processor with the garlic, a bit of vegan spread and some parsley
Instructions
- Steam saute the cauliflower in 1/4 cup of salted water until the water is mostly evaporated.
- Toss in the bread crumbs, garlic and olives and stir until the breadcrumbs are toasted. Add some olive oil if necessary to prevent burning.
- Salt and pepper to taste and garnish with chopped parsley.
The vast majority of the recipes in Kitchen Express are just this simple and easy to prepare. But don’t let the simplicity fool you, it allows the flavors of the ingredients to shine. What would you serve with this dish?
Make sure to drop by I Heart Cooking Clubs to see what the others in the group are making.
More delicious cauliflower recipes:
This looks wonderful. I love Bittman and I love cauliflower!
It does seem like the “perfect storm” hahaha. I don’t think I’ve been disappointed in any of his recipes.
This is a delicious side dish that can be served with so many dishes.
I guess I’m a flexitarian too, by definition and preference. What a sensible and delicious combination of olives, bread crumbs and cauliflower. I have to try that sometime.
Thanks, Shirley. I’m looking forward to next week’s Potluck 🙂
Yummi!
This looks amazing! I will be saving it.
Thank you, Jen. Have a great weekend 🙂
A delicious way of serving cauliflower!
This is a beautiful celebration of cauliflower! I would be happy with this as a main course (forget the chicken thigh or meat on the side). Love the technique you mentioned with regard to sauteing in salted water. I oftentimes do the same thing with salted water and/or broth.
I’m with you 🙂
Hello Lydia! Thanks for sharing this recipe. Cauliflower is one vegetable that I’m quite reluctant to cook because I need to either steam or blanch them to retain nutrients. But I guess I should give this recipe a try. 🙂
You could certainly steam them first and then toss the cooked cauliflower with the bread crumbs and olives. Hope you give it a try, Joyce 🙂
Kitchen Express is probably the Bittman book that I cook the most from although why/how I haven’t tried this recipe yet is beyond me! 😉 It looks amazing and such a great way to liven up cauliflower too.
I checked my kindle and I think I have nearly half of the recipes bookmarked 🙂
Big cauliflower fan here! This sounds amazing!
I never thought about putting olives and cauliflower together but your recipe looks wonderful.
I love cauliflower. Saving this recipe! Looks so yummy.
I love cauliflower and don’t cook with it enough. This looks amazing. Bookmarking!
I have a head of cauliflower in my fridge, I might make this tomorrow! thanks!
Hope you like it as much as we do. 🙂
Yum yum yum! I would never to pair the olives in there. I’m going to have to try this!!
I wouldn’t have thought of the olives, either. Glad Mark Bittman did 🙂
Looks good! Thanks for sharing.
I LOVE cauliflower!!
You’ll probably like this, then. Thanks for dropping by 🙂