Dish of Cauliflower with Bacon
(click to enlarge)

Cauliflower with Bacon


China - Sichuan
Serves:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 5 side
***
45 min
Prep		 A side dish delicious enough to be a light main dish. The photo example used Chinese cauliflower, but others can be used (see Comments. This dish would be just as fine on a Western menu as Chinese.

1
4
2
2
2
2
1-1/4
1/2
1/4
#
oz
cl
t
T
T
c
t
t
Cauliflower (1)
Bacon, smoked (2)  
Garlic
Potato Starch
Water
Oil / Lard
Stock (3)
Salt
Pepper
Prep   -   (20 min)
  1. Cut CAULIFLOWER into small stemmy florets.
  2. Cut BACON into small bite size pieces.
  3. Slice GARLIC thin.
  4. Mix POTATO STARCH and Water.
RUN   -   (15 min)
  1. In a wok or spacious sauté pan, heat 2 T Oil. Stir in Bacon and fry stirring until it shows a trace of color.
  2. Stir in Garlic for a few seconds until aromatic, then stir in the Cauliflower. Tumble in the Oil until mostly coated, then stir in the Stock. Bring to a boil, cover and turn to moderate flame for 5 minutes or until Cauliflower is tender. Tumble the Cauliflower a few times for even cooking.
  3. Season to taste with Salt and Pepper.
  4. Stir up Starch mix, then stir it into the pan. Continue to stir until the sauce has thickened some.
NOTES:

  1. Cauliflower:

      Weight is for florets only after cutting. The photo example has been made with Chinese (Loose-head) Cauliflower. This has become fairly available here in Los Angeles, For details see our Chinese Cauliflower page - or see Comments for alternatives.

  2. Bacon:

      It is best to use "Ends and Pieces", or a deli bacon that can be cut thicker than sliced breakfast bacon.

  3. Stock:

      Pork or Chicken stock will work fine.

  4. Comments:

      The photo example is made with Chinese cauliflower, but Western cauliflower can be used. Cut the florets fairly small and a bit stemmy. Also, Chinese cauliflower has a "greener" and sweeter taste than Western cauliflower, so Broccoli may be a good substitute as well. Vegetarians could use Pressed Spiced Tofu (Spiced Stew Tofu) instead of bacon, along with Avocado oil and vegetable stock. Not the same, but suffering was your choice.
  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch ar=as required tt=to taste
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