Kathleen says this a dish that will “knock your socks off!”
Ingredients
1 medium head cauliflower (about 2 lb.)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
2 oz. (4 Tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned* and chopped to the size of capers
2 Tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
1 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
Trim the stem end of the cauliflower and remove the leaves. With a paring knife, carefully cut out 1-1/2 inches of the core, keeping the head intact. Season the cauliflower generously all over with salt and pepper, transfer to the baking sheet, and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Roast until partially cooked and a small knife inserted in the stem end meets with slight resistance, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the foil and let the cauliflower cool for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, and thyme. Spread the mixture onto the cauliflower, coating it all over. Roast, rotating the pan occasionally, until the cauliflower is evenly browned and tender throughout when pierced with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes more.
In an 8-inch skillet, cook the butter over medium-low heat until the milk solids begin to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes. Watch closely as the butter will turn from golden to brown rather quickly once it starts to turn. If you let it get too dark, it will turn bitter. Immediately add the hazelnuts, capers, and lemon juice, and remove from the heat. Cut the cauliflower into pieces and serve with the sauce spooned over it.
*To skin the hazelnuts, toast them in a small dry frying pan. Then remove them to a clean dishcloth and rub them until most of their skins rub off. This will take the bitter outer layer off and leave a nicely toasted nut for you to use in the sauce.
