Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Dressing

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Dressing isn’t your typical cauliflower dish! This has a kick to it!

If you’ve ever had reservations on trying roasted or baked cauliflower, this is the dish to begin with! Seasoned with Cajun seasoning and topped off with a zesty tahini sauce, this recipe will have you celebrating clean eating!

Actually, it will have you celebrating food and eating in general!

A Spicy Zesty Cauliflower Recipe!

spicy roasted cauliflower — You’ll be coming back for seconds with this one!

A fun and savory take on a traditional dish in all aspects. Cauliflower is a traditional vegetable in and of itself. So, in many cultures across the world, it’s a pivotal ingredient.

Whether served alone, in a stew, part of a casserole, or in any other recipe, this vegetable is versatile. That’s why serving it up all dressed up with a kick sheds its traditional cloak. This recipe ushers cauliflower into a new era of serving vegetables in more contemporary forms!

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spiced cauliflower in tahini dressing with cilantro — A zesty and savory dish that will have you falling in love with cauliflower!

Cooking Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

There are a couple of ways you can cook this up. For me, I prefer the normal baking method. Simply laying out the florets on an oiled baking sheet.

Then, spraying them with some more oil and baking them until softened. Next, I broil on high to get that beautiful golden color.

Another way to cook them is to really roast them. To get that super roasted effect, it’s all about the HEAT!

So, it’s essential you preheat the oven on high. Next, you need to preheat the baking sheet itself. These are important steps because cold equipment and ingredients will stall the caramelizing process. If your oven is really hot, and the baking sheet is hot, then you’re bound to get that darker caramelized color and roasted flavor!

Serving it up!

Serve roasted cauliflower as an appetizer! Or, pair it with a salad, rice, tofu, quinoa, etc. for a full course meal that will leave you satisfied.

Of course, you can eat alone as a main dish because it’s fulfilling. Eat it with pita bread and sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top!

However you serve it, you know you’re eating something low–carb and healthy whether you’re watching what you eat or not!

Roasted Caramelized Cauliflower!

The Tahini Dressing

Tahini is a sesame paste and is definitely a staple in many Middle Eastern dishes. Tahini is the star of many recipes including hummus, baba ghanoush, and taratur (the famous meat shawarma sauce).

It’s also used in some desserts!

Let’s talk about some of the benefits of tahini:

a great source of phosphorus and manganese
has anti-inflammatory properties
rich in antioxidants
may help in fighting bacteria
aids in strengthening the central nervous system
protects liver and kidney function

Using Tahini to make Dressing

Tahini is a paste and is actually a thickening agent. Usually, when combined with lemon juice, it thickens up. It’s best when making a tangy tahini dressing to smash the garlic well.

Next, put the desired amount of tahini, then add the lemon juice. Mix them very well and if consistency is too thick, you can thin it out with a teaspoon of water at a time.

After, you can add other ingredients like salt, olive oil, and other preferred ingredients.

Tahini dressing is best lemony! So, don’t shy away from adding extra lemon juice. You can grate some lemon skin into it for added flavor.

If you don’t have lemons, you can add a bit of citric acid with some red vinegar or pomegranate molasses.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use something other than lemons in the tahini dressing?

You can use lime juice or citric acid in place of lemon juice.

How long do leftovers last?

This dish can last up to three days in the fridge. If you feel that there will be leftovers, don’t pour the tahini dressing on all the florets, that way they will last longer without getting soggy.

Can this dish be meal prepped?

You can roast cauliflower a day ahead and prepare the tahini dressing. Store both separately in airtight containers in the fridge until ready for serving. Both can store in the fridge for up to at least 3 days.

Should this dish be served warm?

That’s a personal preference. But generally roasted or even fried cauliflower can be served as a cold appetizer, especially with tahini dressing.

Healthy and Delicious Tahini Cauliflower!

spiced roasted cauliflower florets with a tahini dressing and cilantro garnish — Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free!

Tips for a Great Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Dish

For a nice caramelized color, preheat oven to 450 F and put the baking sheet or pan in the oven to make it hot as well.

It’s best to spray the florets while they are in a bowl and add the seasonings. This makes for equal distribution of flavor and oil so that they cook evenly.

When preparing the florets on the sheet or tray, be sure to lay them out evenly across. If you crowd them, it will make for uneven cooking or browning.

Looking for more flavor? Don’t shy away from playing around with the spices. Add some smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, or onion powder! If you want added texture and flavor, caramelize some onions and layer them on top!

You can use the tahini dressing as a dipping sauce if you prefer instead of drizzling them over the cooked cauliflower.

You can garnish with cilantro, parsley, or mint. Each has a distinct flavor and will add value to the dish. Get creative and add a mix of all three!

Pomegranate molasses brings an added zest and depth if drizzled over the final dish and gives for a nice presentation as well!

This is a great dish for vegans, and it’s also gluten and dairy free!

Ingredients

cauliflower
Cajun seasoning
tahini
drinking water
olive oil
lemon
salt to taste
chopped cilantro for garnish

How to Make this Dish

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Wash and cut the cauliflower into large florets then place on a prepared baking sheet sprayed with cooking oil.

Generously spray the cauliflower with cooking oil then bake for 50 minutes. Next, broil on high for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.

In a small bowl mix together the tahini, water, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and salt.

Place the baked cauliflower florets in a plate, drizzle the tahini dressing then garnish with chopped cilantro.

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