I have a tendency to think about caponata as a Sicilian medley of the sun-soaked flavors of summer season cooked down right into a deeply flavorful tangle of components. Wealthy bursts of eggplant, pepper, tomatoes, celery, zucchini and the like are combined with an agrodolce (sweet-sour) sauce and loved as an accompaniment or a part of an antipasto platter. It’s a basic for a purpose. That stated, the model I’ve been making essentially the most this yr comes from Simple Wins by Anna Jones. Anna’s model is right in colder months because it cleverly trades cauliflower for the eggplant and makes use of the oven instead of frying and I completely love this model.
Workforce Caponata
So lots of the cooks I do know love caponata. It’s wildly adaptable, and it simply will get higher as you let the flavors meld, refrigerated, within the days after cooking. It may be served both heat or room temperature. Let’s say you’ve gotten caponata within the fridge. In case you additionally maintain one thing glowing to drink, some toasted nuts, possibly a wedge of excellent cheese, sourdough, and so on. you are able to host on the fly. A fast unfold turns into a breeze to drag off.
The Course of
This caponata is a breeze to make and comes collectively in a number of main steps. First you roast the cauliflower, celery, and pink onion in a little bit of olive oil.
As soon as these are roasted they’re mixed with the remaining components together with tomatoes, capers, olives, and dates (or raisins). Give all of it a great stir. The roast in an oven till every little thing is thick and concentrated.
Serve topped with herbs and serve heat or at room temperature.
What to Serve with Caponata
There are infinite methods to take pleasure in this caponata. Listed here are some favorites:
- With bread: If you wish to maintain it easy, merely serve the caponata alongside good, toasted bread. Or, take it up a notch and make bruschetta – slather grilled bread with a little bit of burrata after which prime with the caponata.
- Tossed all through pasta: That is the final word fast meal. Cook dinner a favourite pasta and stir the caponata all through. Stage up by making it with do-it-yourself pasta.
- With Polenta: that is one among my favourite choices. I like a bowl of creamy polenta topped with this cauliflower caponata, completed with a showering of grated cheese or child swirl of creme fraiche and a few snipped chives.
- Savory brunch: As a make-ahead choice the caponata is nice alongside a frittata and a bunch of potatoes or artichokes. I find it irresistible with smashed skillet potatoes, or a big-wedge model of oven fries (dial up the cooking time).
- With Potatoes on the whole: Associated, there’s one thing about the way in which this caponata melds with potatoes that makes it the final word cozy, consolation meals. It’s nice as a topping to piping sizzling baked potato. One other good choice is over mashed potatoes.
Extra Anna Jones
Anna is UK-based, however her incredible books can be found within the U.S. as effectively. And you’ll observe her for inspiration and recipes on various channels!