This put up could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. Please learn our disclosure coverage.
My Roasted Cauliflower Salad is So Good!
I used to suppose salads needed to have lettuce—till my mid-twenties after I realized they completely don’t! That discovery modified every part for me.
Lettuce can really feel uninspired, flip soggy should you’re meal-prepping, and generally make consuming it really feel like a chore. Since then, I’ve skipped the leafy greens from time to time in favor of leaf-free salads like this roasted cauliflower salad.
Roasting the cauliflower brings out its pure sweetness and provides it a nutty, caramelized taste that’s milder than contemporary cauliflower. So, should you’re attempting to eat extra cauliflower, cruciferous greens, or simply extra greens, strive roasting them and tossing them in my tangy tahini dressing. It’s a heat candy salad that you simply’ll wish to have all winter lengthy and received’t really feel like a bore or a chore!
Elements You’ll Want
For the Salad
- Cauliflower: Minimize it into small florets so it roasts evenly, need assistance try my tutorial on how one can reduce a head of cauliflower. If you wish to strive a special veggie, Air fryer broccoli and even roasted Brussel sprouts are nice substitutes.
- Purple Onion: Yellow onion or shallots can work, although the flavour might be barely completely different.
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil is an effective various if wanted, actually any oil with a excessive smoke level will work.
- Cumin & Paprika: For those who don’t have common paprika, smoked paprika or chili powder can be utilized.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Alter to style.
- Dates: I like to make use of Medjool dates, however any selection will work. If dates aren’t out there, raisins or dried cranberries can be utilized.
- Parsley: Cilantro could possibly be used in its place, however does have extra punch within the taste division.
- Toasted Pine Nuts or Roasted Almonds: Swap with walnuts, pistachios, and even sunflower seeds if wanted.
- Feta Cheese: Goat cheese or a plant-based feta various works for dietary restrictions.
For the Dressing
- Tahini: Stir it rather well to ensure all of the oil is combined in. For those who’re out of tahini, cashew butter or almond butter may work, although the flavour might be completely different.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed should you can. For those who solely have bottled that may work.
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil may also be used right here.
- Garlic: Use contemporary minced garlic for the perfect taste. For those who don’t have contemporary, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder may work.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Alter based mostly on private style.
- Water: Used to skinny the dressing to your required consistency. Solely add 1 tablespoon at a time till pourable.
Standard Additions
- Herbs and Spices: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of za’atar or ½ teaspoon of sumac over the roasted cauliflower.
- Additional Veggies: Toss in 1 cup of roasted candy potatoes or 1 cup of drained and rinsed chickpeas for added heartiness and texture.
- Protein Increase: Make it a most important dish by including 1 cup of grilled hen tenders or cooked quinoa for further protein.
The way to Make a Roasted Cauliflower Salad
My Finest Roasted Cauliflower Salad Suggestions
- Toast the pine nuts within the oven with the cauliflower: I’m all about making issues extra environment friendly the place potential, so whilst you can toast the pine nuts within the oven on a separate tray or on the range in a pan, you too can simply push apart the cauliflower combination and toast them on the identical pan with the cauliflower over the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Unfold the cauliflower and onions in a single layer on the baking sheet. Overcrowding will trigger them to steam as a substitute of roast, which you’ll be able to nonetheless use however we wish that golden caramelization for added taste.
- Make the Dressing Easy: Whisk the tahini dressing effectively and add water steadily till it reaches a pourable consistency. It ought to coat the again of a spoon with out being too thick.
- Save the dressing for serving: This fashion, you may retain the crispness of the cauliflower florets with out weighing them down with the dressing too early.
What to Serve
Recipe Assist & Widespread Questions
Retailer the salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. For greatest outcomes, hold the dressing separate and add it simply earlier than serving to keep away from soggy cauliflower.
Mushy cauliflower often outcomes from overcooking or steaming as a consequence of an excessive amount of moisture. Pat the florets dry earlier than roasting, and don’t cowl the pan. Keep on with the beneficial roasting time, checking for doneness at 25 minutes.
In case your tahini dressing separates and appears oily, it’s probably the tahini wasn’t stirred effectively earlier than measuring. Tahini tends to separate within the jar, so stir it effectively to include the oil and solids earlier than utilizing. You may also whisk the dressing longer or use a blender to emulsify it.
Extra Cauliflower Recipes:
For those who do this really feel good Roasted Cauliflower Salad recipe or every other recipe on Really feel Good Foodie, then don’t neglect to fee the recipe and depart a remark under! It helps others who’re pondering of constructing the recipe. We might love to listen to about your expertise making it. And should you snapped some pictures, share it on Instagram so we will repost on Tales!
-
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a big baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Add the cauliflower and onion to the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
-
Toss effectively together with your palms to mix. Unfold in a single layer and roast for 25-Half-hour, stirring midway by way of, till golden and tender. Let it cool barely.
-
In the meantime, in a small bowl or jar, mix tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk till easy, then add 1 tablespoon of water at time and whisk till the consistency is pourable. Put aside.
-
In a big serving bowl, layer the roasted cauliflower, chopped dates, parsley, feta cheese and toasted nuts. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss and serve heat or at room temperature.
- Save the dressing for serving: This fashion you may retain the crispness of the cauliflower florets with out weighing them down with the dressing too early.
- Toast the pine nuts within the oven with the cauliflower: I’m all about making these extra environment friendly the place potential, so whilst you can toast the pine nuts within the oven on a separate tray or on the range in a pan, you too can simply push apart the cauliflower combination and toast them on the identical pan with the cauliflower over the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Serving: 1.5cups, Energy: 222kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 6g, Fats: 17g, Saturated Fats: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 5g, Monounsaturated Fats: 8g, Ldl cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 410mg, Potassium: 585mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 333IU, Vitamin C: 76mg, Calcium: 89mg, Iron: 2mg
Diet info supplied is an estimate. It’ll differ based mostly on cooking technique and particular elements used.
