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Smažený květák
Smažený květák: golden breaded cauliflower with boiled potatoes and Czech tartar sauce
Order a vegetarian meal in a Czech pub and there is a fair chance you will get smažený květák: fat cauliflower florets in a crunchy breadcrumb coat, with buttery parsley potatoes and a dollop of tatarka, the pickle-studded tartar sauce. Children love it, and many families in Bohemia make it on Fridays. The florets are blanched first so the inside is tender and sweet under the crust. Where most people go wrong is breading wet cauliflower: the coating slips off in the oil. Dry the florets well on a towel and let them cool before you dip them. Chef's tip: press the crumbs on firmly with your palm, then rest the breaded florets for 10 minutes so the coat sets and fries up evenly.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the cauliflower
- 1 cauliflowerabout 800 g, cut into large florets
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 ⅞ oz plain flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
- 5 ½ oz dried breadcrumbs
- 2 ½ cups sunflower oilfor frying
For the potatoes
- 1 ¾ lb waxy potatoespeeled
- ⅔ oz butter
- 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsleychopped
For the tartar sauce
- 5 ½ oz mayonnaise
- 1 ¾ oz plain yoghurt
- 2 pickled gherkinsfinely chopped
- 1 tsp mild mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
To serve
- 4 lemon wedges (optional)
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Bring a large pan of water to the boil with half the 1 tsp salt. Add 1 cauliflower and blanch for 4 minutes, until just tender when pierced but still firm. Drain, spread on a clean towel and leave to steam dry and cool.
6 minStep 2: Boil 1 ¾ lb waxy potatoes in salted water for 18–20 minutes, until tender. Drain and toss with ⅔ oz butter and 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley; keep warm.
20 minStep 3: Mix 5 ½ oz mayonnaise, 1 ¾ oz plain yoghurt, 2 pickled gherkins, 1 tsp mild mustard and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a bowl, then chill.
3 minStep 4: Set out three plates: 2 ⅞ oz plain flour mixed with the rest of the 1 tsp salt, 2 eggs beaten with 2 tbsp milk, and 5 ½ oz dried breadcrumbs. Roll each floret in flour, then egg, then crumbs, pressing the crumbs on well.
8 minStep 5: Heat 2 ½ cups sunflower oil in a deep pan to 350°F, or until a cube of bread browns in about 40 seconds.
5 minStep 6: Fry the florets in batches for 3–4 minutes, turning, until deep golden and crisp all over. Lift out onto kitchen paper.
10 minStep 7: Serve hot with the parsley potatoes, the tartar sauce and 4 lemon wedges.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 620 kcal
- Protein
- 15 g
- Carbs
- 62 g
- Fat
- 34 g
- Fibre
- 7 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does smažený květák take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of cauliflower?
- Broccoli, same weight.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
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