Pork & plum meatballs with cauliflower puree

Ingredients

For the meatballs

• 60g soft white breadcrumbs
• 70ml whole milk
• 100-150g plums, halved and de-stoned
• 600g minced pork
• 1 medium egg
• ¼ nutmeg, freshly grated
• 12 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked
• ½ tsp flaky sea salt

For the cauliflower sides

• 1 medium cauliflower, including leaves
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled
• 600g whole milk
• 30g butter

For the sauce

• 1 banana shallot, finely diced
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 250ml chicken or vegetable stock
• 300ml full fat creme fraiche
• 6 sprigs of tarragon, leaves picked and chopped

Method

Put the breadcrumbs in a bowl and add the milk. Stir and leave to soak.

Mince the plums by finely chopping. In a mixing bowl, use your hands to combine all of the meatball ingredients.

Wet your hands and roll the meatball mixture into 60g spheres (slightly larger than golf balls). Arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet, then chill for at least an hour.

Make the cauliflower puree, which can be reheated on a low heat just before serving. Trim the green leaves and set aside. Cut the florets and stem into 2cm wedges, then place in a saucepan with the garlic and milk. Simmer over a medium heat for 15-20 mins, until soft. Scoop into a blender, add a good pinch of salt and pepper, the butter and three quarters of the warm milk. Blend until smooth and silky – it should be quite light and loose, but not soupy.

Wash the greens and cut the thick stems in half lengthways. Place on a roasting tray, toss in olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper.

When ready to eat, heat the oven to 200C. Bake the meatballs for 10 mins. Put the cauliflower leaves in the oven at the same time.

Meanwhile, find a saucepan or sauté pan large enough to hold the meatballs in one layer. Place over a low-medium heat and briefly warm 1 tbsp light olive oil. Add the shallot and a pinch of salt. Soften for 3 mins without browning, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Increase the heat, wait for 10 seconds, then pour in the stock. Reduce by a quarter, then stir in the creme fraiche and turn down to a very gentle simmer. Add the meatballs and tarragon and simmer for 10 mins more.

Reheat the puree and keep an eye on the cauliflower greens – they should soften and brown a little, but not dry out. If your cauliflower lacked plentiful layers of green, serve with blanched or wilted curly kale.

Image: Kim Lightbody