Cauliflower Cakes with Spinach Salad

CAULIFLOWER CAKES:

  • 12 oz. cauliflower florets
  • 1 large baking potato, peeled and cut into 4 pieces
  • 2 large shallots, halved
  • 1 1/2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 oz. (about 1/2 cup) Fontina cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs, lightly toasted
  • 2 TBS grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

SAUCE:

  • 2 TBS sour cream
  • 2 TBS mayonnaise
  • 2 tsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 2 tsp. fresh chives, minced
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

SALAD:

  • 4 cups spinach (or arugula)
  • 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. To prepare cauliflower, place cauliflower, potato and shallots on a baking sheet. Drizzle 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil over vegetables and toss to coat. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until tender, stirring once. Place cauliflower mixture in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until tender, stirring once. Scrape mixture into a bowl. Add fontina cheese, thyme, salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and egg, stirring well. Combine panko and parmigiano-reggiano in a shallow dish. Using wet hands, shape cauliflower mixture into 8 patties, each about 1-inch thick, and dredge in panko mixture. Place patties on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until brown, turning once. To prepare sauce, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, parsley, chives, pepper and garlic in a small bowl. To prepare salad, combine spinach, tomatoes, 2 teaspoons of oil and juice, tossing well to coat. Place 1 cup of spinach mixture on each of 4 plates, top with 2 cakes and 1 tablespoon of the sauce and serve.