Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

By Dani Potts | July 30, 2024

Total Time: 1 HOUR 40 MINUTES   Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 whole cauliflower 
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon zaatar spice 

( or try a mix of coriander, cumin and optional sumac)

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 Batch TAHINI SAUCE (link to the recipe)
  • Garnish with fresh herbs – parsley, dill and or mint, sprinkle with 

optional chili flakes, drizzle with this optional Tahini sauce!

INSTRUCTIONS 

  1. Preheat oven to 425F.
  2. Trim the cauliflower – either cutting off the stem (easier) to create a flat base, or leaving it intact, trimming and slicing the bottom so it stands up straight ( like a tree trunk).
  3. Place it in an ovenproof skillet or dutch oven. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil all over the cauliflower, sprinkle with salt and Zaatar spice.  Pour 1/2 cup of water into the bottom of the pan. 
  4. Bake. Cover tightly with the lid or foil and bake for 25-45 minutes– depending on size – or until just tender when pierced with a knife. Smaller cauliflower heads may only take 25 minutes, larger ones can take up to 60.
  5. Uncover. Very carefully take the lid or foil off, minding the hot steam (it will burn!). Drizzle with a little more olive oil, place back in the oven for 30 minutes, perhaps rotating halfway through. At this point it should be deeply golden, but if not, continue roasting until it is… please no pale cauliflowers here!!!
  6. Make this Tahini Sauce!
  7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle more zaatar if you like, fresh herbs, optional aleppo chili flakes,  and either drizzle the tahini sauce over the whole thing right in the pan, or cut it up, like a cake, into wedges and serve the tahini sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Credit: https://www.feastingathome.com/whole-roasted-cauliflower-with-black-tahini-and-sumac/#tasty-recipes-27090-jump-target

BENEFITS

Cauliflower is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and it is an excellent source of fiber. It is also low in calories and can be a terrific addition to a weight-loss diet. Additionally, it contains choline, which is essential for brain health, and sulforaphane, a compound with potential anti-cancer properties. Lastly, cauliflower can be used in various dishes and is a delicious and healthy alternative to grains and legumes.