Author Notes
Nam Pla Minnow (fish sauce and lime) is a sauce that flavors Thai home cooking-- from fried egg to a shredded green papaya salad. This recipe is part Momofuku (his roasted brussel sprouts), and part my own creation. - edamame2003 —edamame2003
Test Kitchen Notes
We loved the contrasting flavors and vibrancy of this Thai-inspired cauliflower dish, whose garlicky fish sauce and lime juice dressing really packs a punch. Don't worry if the panko falls off the cauliflower while cooking; think of them more as a breadcrumb topping rather than a batter. We added our dressing to the cauliflower while it was still in the pan, which helped mellow its assertiveness, but you can add it in the serving bowl as well. – Lauren —The Editors
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Serves
2 or 4 as an appetizer
Ingredients
- Nam Pla Minnow
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2
garlic cloves
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3
bird chili peppers (seeds removed)
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1 tablespoon
palm sugar (or regular sugar)
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1/4 cup
lime juice (minnow)
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1/8 cup
fish sauce (nam pla)
- Cauliflower
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1
cauliflower head (cut into florets)
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1
egg, beaten
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1 cup
panko
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2 tablespoons
grape seed oil
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2 tablespoons
flour
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1 teaspoon
coarsely ground black pepper
Directions
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Drop cauliflower in boiling water for 30 seconds and remove. Drain and let cool.
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Thinly coat the cauliflower with flour/black pepper, then through the beaten egg and dredge through the panko.
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Heat the oil in a pan and brown the cauliflower--about 8 minutes (until browned and crispy). Remove and set aside.
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For the sauce:
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In a mortar, pound the birds eye chili, garlic and palm sugar, until a paste-like texture.
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Add fish sauce and lime juice and dissolve the chili, garlic, sugar mixture.
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Toss the cauliflower with the sauce.
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Garnish with cilantro.
I work in the entertainment business, and in my free time, I really enjoy growing my own vegetables, trolling my local farmers markets and trying to re-create yummy dishes I eat at my favorite restaurants. My son is a big influence on how and what I cook. He's my guinea pig and promises to try anything I make once. Luckily the recipes on food52 are bountiful and delicious.
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