Cauliflower Fritters

By JMBT

To create these wonderful tapas, José Andrés makes a batter with crunchy nubs of chopped cauliflower florets, fries spoonfuls in a skillet and then tops the fritters with yogurt sauce and a dollop of caviar.

Ingredients

• . 3 large egg whites
• . 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• . Salt
• . 6 tablespoons whole-milk yogurt
• . 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• . Salmon caviar, for garnish
• . 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• . 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• . 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• . 1/2 large head of cauliflower, florets finely chopped (2 cups)
• . 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for frying

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook for 2 minutes. Drain well, then spread the cauliflower on a paper towel–lined baking sheet to cool; pat the cauliflower dry.
2. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon of salt with the baking powder, cumin, coriander, pepper and allspice. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt at high speed until firm peaks form. Fold in the cauliflower and the spice mixture.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet. Very lightly oil the skillet. Drop tablespoons of the fritter batter into the skillet and cook over moderately high heat until browned on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook until browned on the other side, about 2 minutes. Transfer the fritters to a large rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining batter, coating the skillet with oil as needed.
4. In a small bowl, blend the yogurt with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil and season with salt. Reheat the fritters in the oven, about 2 minutes. Garnish each fritter with 1/2 teaspoon of yogurt sauce and some caviar. Transfer to a platter and serve.
MAKE AHEAD The fritters can be fried earlier in the day and kept at room temperature. Reheat before serving.