Indian-Chinese Sweet and Spicy Fried Cauliflower

Name: Indian-Chinese Sweet and Spicy Fried Cauliflower
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 12 cloves garlic; 4 (2") pieces peeled fresh ginger (3 cut into thin coins, 1 julienned); 1 head cauliflower, cut into large florets; Kosher salt; 2 ⁄ 3 cup cornstarch; 2 ⁄ 3 cup flour; 1 tsp. red chile powder; Freshly ground white pepper; 2 tsp. plus 3 tbsp. soy sauce; Peanut oil for frying; 2 small onions, chopped; 8-10 Thai chiles, thinly sliced; 1 ⁄ 2 cup ketchup; 1 1 ⁄ 2 tbsp. sesame oil; 2 scallions, thinly sliced; Cilantro leaves

Serves
serves 4

ANDRÉ BARANOWSKI

(Gobi Manchurian)

To make a spicier sauce for this dish, use Maggi brand chili sauce in lieu of ketchup.

Ingredients

12 cloves garlic
4 (2") pieces peeled fresh ginger (3 cut into thin coins, 1 julienned)
1 head cauliflower, cut into large florets
Kosher salt
²⁄₃ cup cornstarch
²⁄₃ cup flour
1 tsp. red chile powder
Freshly ground white pepper
2 tsp. plus 3 tbsp. soy sauce
Peanut oil for frying
2 small onions, chopped
8-10 Thai chiles, thinly sliced
¹⁄₂ cup ketchup
1 ¹⁄₂ tbsp. sesame oil
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Cilantro leaves

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Instructions

Step 1

Purée garlic, ginger coins, and 1⁄3 cup water in blender; set aside. Boil cauliflower in a pot of salted water until tender, 6–7 minutes; drain.

Step 2

Whisk together cornstarch, flour, chile powder, 1⁄2 tsp. salt, and 1⁄4 tsp. pepper in a bowl. Stir in half the garlic paste, 2 tsp. soy sauce, and 3⁄4 cup water to make a batter. Pour oil into a large deep skillet to a depth of 1"; heat over medium-high heat. Working in batches, dip cauliflower in batter; fry until golden, 5–6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Drain all but about 6 tbsp. of the oil. Add onions; cook for 3–4 minutes. Add chiles and remaining garlic paste; cook until paste is lightly browned, 3–4 minutes. Add ketchup, remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, and 1⁄3 cup water. Boil; lower heat to medium-low; simmer until thick, 1–2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste; toss cauliflower in sauce. Garnish with remaining ginger, scallions, and cilantro. Serve with white rice, if you like.

Purée garlic, ginger coins, and 1⁄3 cup water in blender; set aside. Boil cauliflower in a pot of salted water until tender, 6–7 minutes; drain.
Whisk together cornstarch, flour, chile powder, 1⁄2 tsp. salt, and 1⁄4 tsp. pepper in a bowl. Stir in half the garlic paste, 2 tsp. soy sauce, and 3⁄4 cup water to make a batter. Pour oil into a large deep skillet to a depth of 1"; heat over medium-high heat. Working in batches, dip cauliflower in batter; fry until golden, 5–6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Drain all but about 6 tbsp. of the oil. Add onions; cook for 3–4 minutes. Add chiles and remaining garlic paste; cook until paste is lightly browned, 3–4 minutes. Add ketchup, remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, and 1⁄3 cup water. Boil; lower heat to medium-low; simmer until thick, 1–2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste; toss cauliflower in sauce. Garnish with remaining ginger, scallions, and cilantro. Serve with white rice, if you like.