Cauliflower piccata

Active: 15 minutes; Total 30 minutes; Serves: 4

Cauliflower, cut into 2-inch florets	1 head
Oil, extra-virgin olive
Salt, kosher
Pepper, freshly ground
Chickpeas, drained	15 ounces
Shallot, finely chopped	1
Garlic, finely chopped	3 cloves
Stock, vegetable	1 cup
Butter, unsalted	4 tablespoons
Capers, drained	2 tablespoons
Lemon, zested and juiced	1
Parsley, chopped	Garnish

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. 
2. Place the cauliflower florets onto a sheet pan, and drizzle with 2 to 3-tablespoons of oil. 
3. Season with salt and pepper, and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cauliflower is golden and tender. 
4. Remove from the oven, add the chickpeas, and toss to combine. 
5. Heat a medium skillet to medium high; add 1-tablespoon oil and the shallots, and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 1 minute. 
6. Add the garlic, and cook 1 minute longer, stirring constantly to keep from scorching. 
7. Pour the stock into the pan and simmer until reduced by half, about 4 to 5 minutes. 
8. Reduce heat to low, then stir in the butter, capers, lemon zest and juice. 
9. Season with ½-teaspoon salt, and a few pinches of pepper. 
10. To serve, place the cauliflower and chickpeas on serving plates, top with the lemon caper sauce, and garnish with parsley before serving. 

Recipe from NYT Cooking.

Seared scallops with basil risotto

Active: 1 hour; Serves: 4

Pineapple juice	2 cups
Vegetable broth	1 ½ cups
Butter, unsalted	3 tablespoons
Onions, yellow, minced	1/3 cup
Garlic, minced	1 tablespoon
Rice, arborio, uncooked	1 ¼ cups
Parmesan, freshly grated	3/4 cups
Salt	½ teaspoon +
Pepper, freshly ground	¼ teaspoon +
Basil, fresh, minced	3 tablespoons
Sea scallops	1 pound
Vegetable oil	2 tablespoons +
Microgreens	½ cup

1. Combine the juice and broth in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. 
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover with a lid and remove from the heat. 
3. Heat the butter in a large saucepan set over medium-low heat. 
4. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. 
5. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 
6. Add a ladle of the hot juice mixture to the saucepan and cook, stirring, until the liquid is fully absorbed. 
7. Continue adding the hot liquid to the saucepan, one ladle at a time and stirring intermittently, until the rice is no longer crunch, about 30 minutes. 
8. Stir in the cheese, salt, and pepper, then turn off the heat and stir in the basil; set aside, covered, while you cook the scallops. 
9. Pat the scallops dry, then season with salt and pepper. 
10. Heat the oil in a medium skillet set over medium-high heat. 
11. Once the oil is hot, add half of the scallops and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. 
12. Flip the scallops once, then tilt the skillet and baste them with the oil. 
13. Continue cooking the scallops an additional 1 minute, until no longer translucent. 
14. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining scallops, adding more oil as needed. 
15. Divide the risotto among serving plates and top with the scallops. 
16. Garnish with the microgreens and serve. 

Recipe from The Secret Ingredient Cookbook, July 2021.