Garlicky Braised Cauliflower with Capers

I can’t even begin to count the number of times I serve this dish in the fall and winter. It is equally good with cauliflower or broccoli. Serve it as a side dish to complement a roast, or as a light main course, maybe with some ricotta salata shaved over the top. It even works well as a pasta sauce.

6 SERVINGS

3

tablespoons olive oil

4

salted anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced

3

garlic cloves, minced

¼

teaspoon red pepper flakes

pounds cauliflower florets

½

cup water

¼

cup chopped fresh parsley

3

tablespoons capers, with their liquid

 

Salt

Combine the olive oil and anchovies in a skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the anchovies begin to melt into the oil, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and keep cooking until the garlic softens, about another 3 minutes.

Add the cauliflower florets and water. Cover tightly and cook until the cauliflower becomes slightly tender—soft enough to be pierced with a knife, but not so soft that it can be crushed, about 7 minutes.

Remove the lid and raise the heat to high. Cook, stirring, until the water evaporates, leaving behind a thin layer of syrup in the bottom of the pan, about 5 minutes. Add the parsley and capers and cook briefly. Season with salt to taste and serve warm.