Fihunu Cauliflower ( Roasted cauliflower)

 

In the Maldives, Fihunumas (spice-baked fish) is very popular among locals. Families and friends enjoy going on fishing trips and barbecuing their catch on the boat. The fish is slathered with spicy chilli paste known as lonumirus and then cooked over hot coals. I bake mine in the oven. I developed this recipe while trying to create vegan versions of our local cuisine, and it pairs well with lentil curry and a green leafy salad.

To make the roasted cauliflower, I blanched the cauliflower in boiling water for about 10 minutes.

Once it was slightly cooked, I removed it and then poured half of the prepared spice paste, which I thinned down a bit so it flowed into the cauliflower easily.

Then I spread the remaining paste all over the cauliflower and let it marinate for an hour. Pop it in the oven until it is cooked through. Then I broiled it to give the top a nice colour. Finally, I rubbed a small piece of butter on top of the cauliflower, cut it into wedges, and enjoyed it.

Recipe: Fihunu Cauliflower ( spice roasted cauliflower)

Ingredients:

• 1 small cauliflower
• 3 tsp lonumirus
• 1/2 tsp tomato paste ( please don't make it more than this as it will overpower the whole thing)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp butter, at room temperature. 
• juice of 1/2 lime
• salt
• and water to boil the cauliflower

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy clean-up.

2. To make the spice mix, combine lonumirus, tomato paste, a pinch of salt, and vegetable oil in a small bowl. Add about 2 tbsp of water to thin the mixture a little. Set it aside.

3. Prepare the cauliflower, by removing any outer leaves, and trimming the stem. Make an X on the stem. In a pot of boiling water seasoned with 1 tsp of salt, cook the cauliflower with the floret side down for 6-8 minutes, then gently turn it over and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove the cauliflower and let it cool in a colander.

4. Place the cauliflower in a bowl with the floret side down and pour half of the spice mixture into the cauliflower. Give it a gentle shake to allow the sauce to flow into the cauliflower. Turn it over and spread the remaining sauce over the cauliflower. Leave to marinate for an hour.

5. Place the prepared cauliflower on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.

6. Turn on the broiler and broil the cauliflower for another 10-15 minutes.

7. Remove the cauliflower from the oven, rub butter on top (it will melt immediately), and squeeze lime juice over the cauliflower. Cut it into wedges and enjoy!