Tunisian Style Baked Cauliflower Frittata

Tunisian Style Baked Cauliflower Frittata
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Rating
4(207)
Comments
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In the authentic version of this frittata there is a lot more olive oil, as well as chopped hard-boiled eggs. This one is lighter and simpler. It is great for lunch or dinner and keeps well in the refrigerator.

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Ingredients

Yield:Serves 6
  • ½medium head cauliflower (about 1¼ pounds), trimmed of leaves, bottom of the stem trimmed away
  • 2tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1small onion, finely chopped
  • 2garlic cloves, minced
  • 8eggs
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • ½cup finely chopped parsley
  • 2teaspoons ground caraway seeds
  • 2tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
  • ½teaspoon harissa dissolved in 1 teaspoon water, or ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • Freshly ground pepper
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

171 calories; 11 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 6 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 8 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 11 grams protein; 417 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a 2-quart casserole, preferably earthenware or in a 9-inch cast iron skillet, and brush the bottom and sides of the dish with the oil.

  2. Step 2

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Add the cauliflower and boil gently until very tender, about 15 minutes. If you prefer, you can cut up the cauliflower and steam it for 15 minutes. Using slotted spoons or tongs remove the cauliflower from the water (or from the steamer), transfer to a bowl of cold water and drain. Cut the florets from the stem and mash into little pieces with a fork. You should have about 3 cups.

  3. Step 3

    Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, stir together for about 30 seconds and remove from the heat.

  4. Step 4

    Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir in the cauliflower, onion and garlic, parsley, ground caraway and Parmesan. Make sure the harissa is dissolved in the water if using, and stir in; otherwise stir in the cayenne. Scrape into the casserole dish.

  5. Step 5

    Place in the oven and bake 40 minutes, or until set. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. In Tunisia these frittatas are served at room temperature, but you can also serve it hot.

Tip
  • Advance preparation: The frittata is delicious served the next day. Bring back to room temperature or heat slightly in a low oven before serving. The cooked cauliflower will keep for about 3 days in the refrigerator.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
207 user ratings
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Comments

Love this unusual frittata. The second time I made it, I only steamed the cauliflower for four minutes then coarsely chopped the firmer florets for more texture. Served warm with salad and hot sauce for dinner, then the leftovers cut into chunks with sardines and sliced apples for a picnic lunch the next day.

I roasted the cauliflower in the same baking dish I used for the frittata. 30 min at 425. I added the onion after 10 min and the garlic after another 5. I then reduced the oven temp to 350 to finish the dish.

This was quite interesting. For a bit more heft, along with other vegs I added one large russet potato, microwaved til half done then cut up into bite size pieces and sauteed crispy in olive oil. Overall outcome not a lot different from a standard Spanish tortilla, but the caraway seeds and parsley were a nice note. Also, the baking made a difference, vs just cooking in stove-top skillet --- more cake-y than usual omelet. It was easier in the oven though, no flipping.

When you are on a grain free diet, it’s sometimes hard to find fulfilling recipes. This one was so satisfying. I noted the other comments here on needing more flavor so I used harissa paste instead of powder and increased the amount to 1 teaspoon (we like spicy heat). I also added a little turmeric, substituted fennel powder for caraway seeds, and added a little feta and leftover broccoli. It baked beautifully in the oven, golden and moist.

Good, but underseasoned. I added about twice as much parsley, 1 tsp of turmeric, coriander, and cumin.

This is delicious! I tripled or quadrupled the garlic and used cilantro rather than parsley.

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