Cauliflower & Hazelnut Savoury Crumble with Smoky Prune Purée

Smoky prunes
Make this first then continue with the other parts of the recipe

1. Make a strong tea and let it steep for 5 minutes. Then place prunes into a small pot. Pour over strained tea and cover the pot with a lid. Leave to infuse for at least 40 minutes up to an 1½ hours.
2. Once the prunes have swollen up you can either use them whole (amazing!) or blend them into a purée, using a blender. Use it to drizzle on the plate when serving the whole dish.

Roasted Cauliflower

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas Mark 4.
2. Using a paring knife (small sharp knife for peeling), carefully cut each floret off the stem. Save the stem for later use.
3. Place florets and crushed garlic into large mixing bowl and toss them with oil.
4. Layer a deep baking tray with baking parchment. Spread the herbs and spices evenly in the tray and layer the florets on top. Cover the tray with tin foil and bake in the oven for 15/20 minutes.
5. Next, remove the foil and let it roast for another 5/10 minutes – until the cauliflower has turned a slightly golden colour and is just tender to touch. Remove from the oven and let it cool down and infuse until ready to serve.

Smoked Cauliflower

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. The water must taste as salty as seawater.
2. Using a paring knife carefully cut each floret off the stem, saving the stem for later use.
3. Once water is boiling add the florets and cook just for a few minutes. Have another pot or a bowl with ice-cold water ready – this is meant to ‘shock’ – chill! – the florets once cooked and stop them cooking any further. It needs to be very firm, not tender as it will be cooked more later on.
4. Once cooled down, transfer cooked florets onto a kitchen towel and pat dry.
5. To smoke the cauliflower, prepare a pot and a sieve or a colander that are similar in width. Place a piece of tin foil at the bottom of the pot and place hickory chips.
6. Make sure to seal the edges with wet paper towel, and have a properly fitting lid, to make sure that all the smoke is trapped inside.
7. Turn the heat up to a maximum volume and wait until the chips start smoking.
8. Once they are smoking, place the florets in the colander and put over the smoke, covering them with tin foil or a tight lid. Reduce the heat to a lower medium and let it infuse for 10-12 minutes.
9. Once infused, transfer the florets into airtight container until ready to serve.

Puréed Cauliflower

• Put a medium sauté pan on a medium heat. Slice leeks and shallots and sauté for 5 minutes.
• Roughly chop the leftover stems from all the cauliflowers used earlier and add to the pan, along with cannellini beans and stock/water.
• Bring to a simmer and cook until both beans and stems are tender. This usually takes about 10/15 minutes.
• Once ready, transfer the content into a jug blender and blend until smooth texture, adding truffle oil for silkier texture and extra aroma to your liking. You may want to sieve the pure through a fine sieve for finer consistency.
• Adjust the seasoning by adding salt and few drops of lemon juice.

Hazelnut crumble

1. Blend the stale bread to coarse breadcrumbs. Place onto a large tray and place in the oven at 180ºC/350ºF/Gas Mark 4, stirring them every 5/6 minutes until lightly toasted and dry.
2. Once ready, take out of the oven and let cool down.
3. In a mixing bowl place all ingredients together and thoroughly incorporate (mix very well), adding salt and pepper to taste.

Assembly

1. Take a handful of nasturtium leaves (or an alternative) and arrange on the plate.
2. Take a small amount of all of the other ingredients – including the whole or puréed prunes – and arrange in a way that is beautiful to you…there are no rules!
3. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice over the leaves.