Cauliflower with chopped meat 

Growing up my mom made sure our lunch and dinner plates were full of warm healthy and hearty dishes, especially during the cold winter days.  On days like that all I can remember is my moms wonderful dishes and wish I was a kid again.  I was not much of a picky eater and I love my vegetables and I still do. 

Last week New York got a taste of winter and on one of those nights, I made my mom’s cauliflower with chopped meat.  Cauliflower is on the most healthy and nutrition full vegetable.  It can be eaten raw, steamed, fried, baked but the best way to cook and eat it is with one of many Turkish ways.

Ingredients:

• 1 nice sized head of cauliflower
• 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 medium sized onions
• 1/2 cup of chopped can tomatoes (fresh is okay as well)
• 1 tablespoon of tomatoe sauce
• 1/2 lb of ground chopped meat (beef, veal or lamb ground)
• 2 bay leaves
• 4-5 cups of water
• salt & black pepper

Preparation:
Wash and cut the florets of the cauliflower following the lines to cut into nice even and small pieces.  Dice the onions and saute with olive oil in a deep cooking pot.  Add ground meat, chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce, saute until the ground meat is cooked.  Add in the cauliflower florets, salt, black pepper, bay leaves & water.  Cover and cook on medium heat until the floret’s are soft, appx 25-35 minutes. (use a fork to tell if the florets are done to touch, do not over cook, otherwise florets will become mushy)     

Serve hot with a nice cup of yogurt!!

 Enjoy!

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