At my grandma’s house, we used to have this kind of salad many a time, with a slice of homemade bread and some good cheese, for supper.

　　

Ingredients

serves 6 or more

　　1 large head cauliflower (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)

　　1/2 teaspoon or more salt

　　3 hard-boiled eggs (see box on page 36)

　　3 tablespoons or more white wine vinegar

　　1/4 cup or more extra-virgin olive oil

　　Freshly ground pepper to taste

　　

Step 1

Tear off all the outer leaves attached to the base of the cauliflower; reserve any tender green leaves. Cut out the bottom core, and snap or slice off all the big florets from the inner stem. Cut the florets into 1-inch chunks or thick slices (don’t break them up into tiny florets).

　　

Step 2

Bring 3 or 4 quarts of water in a large pot to the boil, drop in the florets and reserved leaves, and cook, uncovered, at a steady boil for 5 minutes, or until cooked through but not soft. Lift out the cauliflower, spread the pieces out in a colander, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Cool to room temperature.

　　

Step 3

Before serving, slice the eggs in wedges, and cut the wedges into 2 or 3 pieces each. In the bottom of a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, another 1/4 teaspoon salt, and grinds of pepper. Put all the cauliflower in the bowl, and tumble to dress all the pieces. Scatter the egg pieces over the top, and old them in. Taste, and adjust the seasonings.

　　

Step 4

Arrange the salad on a serving platter, or portion on salad plates.

　　

Good as . . .

Step 5

A first course

　　

Step 6

A side dish

　　

Step 7

A partner with broccoli for a supper dish

　　From Lidia's Family table by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich Copyright (c) 2004 by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich Published by Knopf.Lidia Bastianich hosts the hugely popular PBS show, "Lidia's Italian-American kitchen" and owns restaurants in New York City, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh. Also the author of Lidia's Italian Table and Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen, she lives in Douglaston, New York. Jay Jacob's journalism has appeared in many national magazines.From the Trade Paperback edition.