Spicy Braised Cauliflower with Lamb Cutlets and Herb Chutney

, from Issue #12. August, 2015
Photography by Minka Firth.
Spicy Braised Cauliflower with Lamb Cutlets and Herb Chutney

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon black mustard seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon turmeric
pinch of chilli flakes
2 tomatoes, roughly chopped
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup chopped flat leaf parsley

Herb Chutney
2 cups coarsely chopped mixed herbs, any combination of coriander, flat leaf parsley and mint
2 green chillis, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
¼ cup roasted cashew nuts
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon sugar
2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup thick, plain yoghurt
12 Frenched lamb cutlets

METHOD

Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a sauté pan. Add the cauliflower and cook until well browned in patches then take out and set aside. Reduce the heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Tip in the mustard and cumin seeds, cover and cook until they pop. Add the garlic, turmeric, chilli, tomatoes, water and the salt and cook for 1 minute. Add the cauliflower and toss together. Cover and cook over a medium low heat until just tender, about 8-10 minutes, stirring once. Stir through the flat leaf parsley.

Herb Chutney: Put the herbs, chillis, garlic, cashews, cumin and the sugar in a food processor and blend to a paste. Tip into a bowl and add the lemon juice and yoghurt and season to taste.

Season the lamb cutlets with salt and freshly ground pepper. Heat a sauté pan with a little oil and cook the cutlets for 2 minutes each side or until medium rare.

To serve: Divide the cauliflower between serving plates and top with the cutlets and a spoonful of the chutney.