120 Min

Cauliflower Bread Pudding

Thanksgiving is, hands down, my favorite American holiday. And I’m sure many immigrants share my sentiment_ It’s inclusive in that we all join hands, with family and friends, in giving thanks to the land that feeds us, yet we all celebrate it a hundred different ways. From masalas to mole, every culture gives the big bird a dressing of its own. Since my first Thanksgiving in this country, when I stared in complete astonishment at the huge roasted turkey smothered with Indian spices on a platter, I have tried to like turkey. I have bought the farmers market hand-massaged cosseted variety, brined it for days, then roasted it with various masalas and more. I even made turkey biryani. Yet, honestly, after all that fuss, I’d rather just have chicken. Or quail. If I must cook meat on Thanksgiving, I’d probably go for a slow-roasted leg of lamb cooked with lots vegetables that take on the meat flavor. Or serve a vegetarian entree such as this Cauliflower Bread Pudding. It’s decadent, deeply satisfying and well worth the time it takes to prepare. You can also make it a day ahead and serve it as a side to your turkey.

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Cook Time

120 Minutes

Serves

6

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2

Cut off the 2 to 3-inch hard core from the bottom of the cauliflower — the rest is edible. Cut the cauliflower into florets and the remaining greens and stems into 1/4-inch pieces. Combine with 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, turmeric, and 3 tablespoons of ghee. Spread onto a greased baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cauliflower is golden brown.

Step 3

Heat 1/4 cup ghee on high, then sauté the minced onions for 15 to 18 minutes on medium heat until they are golden brown, stirring frequently. Meanwhile in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cinnamon, heavy cream, and remaining teaspoon salt. Stir in the serrano chile (if using) and cheese. Add the cubed bread, garbanzo beans, and sage. Once the onions and cauliflower are done, transfer them to the bowl with the egg mixture and combine.

Step 4

Transfer contents to a 2 or 3-inch-deep greased baking pan, roughly 8 by 10-inches. Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove pan and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. 

Notes & Variations

Any fragrant herb can be used instead of sage, such as oregano, basil, or rosemary.
For a dairy-free version, replace cream with coconut milk and ghee with olive oil.
Make the pudding a day ahead, but bake it for only 30 minutes; it will not be completely done. Before serving, pop it in the oven again for 15 to 20 minutes. If serving from cold, heat longer.
For a gluten-free version, replace the bread with store-bought cornbread.
Discard all the water from the garbanzo beans can and rinse the beans 2 to 3 times in cold water before using.

Ingredients

1 medium-sized cauliflower

2 teaspoons sea salt, divided

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup ghee (see variations)

3 cups minced onions

3 eggs

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups heavy cream (see variations)

1 serrano chile, thinly sliced (optional)

1 1/2 cups melting cheese, such as Gruyère or raclette

4 cups cubed bread (challah works great, but any light bread will do)

1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans (see variations)

1/4 cup finely chopped sage leaves

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Transfer contents to a 2 or 3-inch-deep greased baking pan, roughly 8 by 10-inches. Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove pan and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. 

1 medium-sized cauliflower

2 teaspoons sea salt, divided

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup ghee (see variations)

3 cups minced onions

3 eggs

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups heavy cream (see variations)

1 serrano chile, thinly sliced (optional)

1 1/2 cups melting cheese, such as Gruyère or raclette

4 cups cubed bread (challah works great, but any light bread will do)

1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans (see variations)

1/4 cup finely chopped sage leaves

Notes & Variations

Any fragrant herb can be used instead of sage, such as oregano, basil, or rosemary.
For a dairy-free version, replace cream with coconut milk and ghee with olive oil.
Make the pudding a day ahead, but bake it for only 30 minutes; it will not be completely done. Before serving, pop it in the oven again for 15 to 20 minutes. If serving from cold, heat longer.
For a gluten-free version, replace the bread with store-bought cornbread.
Discard all the water from the garbanzo beans can and rinse the beans 2 to 3 times in cold water before using.

Tags:

120 Min

Stock Your Pantry

Essential Masala Dabba

$235

A handmade spice box containing red chile, turmeric, black pepper, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, amchur and garam masala.

Ghee

$10

Ghee is a class of clarified butter that originated in ancient India.

Tags:

120 Min

Stock Your Pantry

Essential Masala Dabba

$235

A handmade spice box containing red chile, turmeric, black pepper, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, amchur and garam masala.

Ghee

$10

Ghee is a class of clarified butter that originated in ancient India.

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