Vegetables Cauliflower Cauliflower Steaks with Herb Salsa Verde Be the first to rate & review! “I can fool my family into thinking we’re eating a meaty meal with this dish,” says chef Alex Guarnaschelli of Butter in New York City. “And they’re a tough crowd.” She treats thick slices of cauliflower like beef steaks, searing and topping them with a tangy salsa verde whisked with Dijon mustard. Slideshow: More Vegetarian Recipes By Alexandra Guarnaschelli Alexandra Guarnaschelli F&W Star Chef » See All F&W Chef Superstars CHEF: Alexandra Guarnaschelli RESTAURANTS: Butter (New York) EXPERIENCE: La Butte Chaillot (Paris); Restaurant Daniel (New York); Patina (Los Angeles) EDUCATION: Barnard College, La Varenne Who taught you how to cook? What is the most important thing you learned from him or her? I consider myself a perpetual student of cooking and many people have contributed to my learning process. My parents were a critical part when I was growing up. My father made varied Italian dishes and some Chinese dishes. Cooking Chinese food was one of his favorite hobbies. My mom made classical French food and a lot of American items. This really shaped my taste buds. What was the first dish you ever cooked yourself? As a kid, my parents slept late a lot. I would wake up and consult the Fannie Farmer cookbook. The first thing I ever made was the coffee cake. I made it again and again. I kind of couldn't believe it worked! Make the batter, bake and magic. My exploration of baking led to a love affair with savory food. Who is your food mentor? What is the most important thing you learned from him/her? I have had many mentors. The most significant so far has definitely been Guy Savoy. He taught me so much about vegetables in particular. He also did something far more valuable: He gave me the confidence to believe in myself and in my desire to become a chef. Favorite cookbook of all time. So far, my favorite is Dione Lucas’s The Gourmet Cooking School Cookbook, for the recipes and the menus. My mom cooked a lot from it while I was growing up. I often look to it for inspiration. What's the most important skill you need to be a great cook? Aside from basic knife skills, I think butchering is very important. It opens up your imagination. It makes the possibilities endless. Is there a culinary skill or type of dish that you wish you were better at? I’m really French-trained, so I guess I always wish I had a better hand with fresh pasta dough. I tend to make mine too egg-y instead of trusting the flour. That's something I practice from time to time to make it a part of my comfort zone. What is the best bang-for-the-buck ingredient and how would you use it? I would have to say lemons. You can candy or salt the skin and use the flesh to make anything from jam to vinaigrettes. What is your current food obsession? I am currently obsessed with fresh gooseberries. I love mixing them with tomatoes, making jam and even pairing them with poultry, like duck and braised chicken thighs. Name three restaurants you are dying to go to in the next year and why? Madison Pic de Valence in France. I admire so much what Anne Sophie Pic has achieved in France. I would love to eat her cooking! Joe Beef in Montreal, Canada. I want to immerse myself in an unforgettable carnivore moment and I would happily put myself in this restaurant’s hands to get there. Willie Mae's Scotch House in New Orleans. I think this pick is self-explanatory. I am always looking for an excuse to go to New Orleans. Best bang-for-the-buck food trip—where would you go and why? I love Charleston, South Carolina. There are many affordable places to eat, so many local ingredients to explore. It's also beautiful. I'd start at Hominy Grill and The Ordinary, followed by a slice of coconut cake at The Peninsula Hotel. What do you eat straight out of the fridge, standing up? Cold meatballs encased in tomato sauce. I love unearthing them like boulders. Five people to follow on Twitter: Chris Cosentino, @offalchris Joyce Carol Oates, @JoyceCarolOates Melanie Dunea, @melaniedunea Roy Choi, @RidingShotgunLA Gael Greene, @GaelGreene Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on January 4, 2016 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: © Fredrika Stjärne Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 30 mins Yield: 4 to 6 Ingredients 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon 1 1/2 tablespoons drained capers, coarsely chopped 6 cornichons, finely chopped 1 small garlic clove, minced 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon grainy mustard 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 large head of cauliflower Kosher salt Freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons canola oil 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 4 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar Directions In a large bowl, whisk the parsley with the cilantro, tarragon, capers, cornichons, garlic, mustards and olive oil. Cut the cauliflower from top to bottom into four 1/2-inch-thick steaks. Generously season them with salt and pepper. In a very large skillet, heat the canola oil until very hot. Add the cauliflower in a single layer and cook over high heat until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip the steaks, add the wine and cook until it is evaporated and the cauliflower is easily pierced with a knife, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to a platter and sprinkle with the lemon zest. Stir the lemon juice and vinegar into the salsa verde and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce on the cauliflower and serve. Make Ahead The salsa verde can be prepared through Step 1 and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before proceeding. Rate it Print