Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

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A simple Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce doesn't get more Middle Eastern than this! Deeply caramelized roasted cauliflower florets topped with a lemony tahini sauce then garnished with an abundance of fresh herbs and tangy pomegranate molasses finish. Oh, and fresh Pomgrantes seeds are always welcomed too.

A white plate filled with roasted cauliflower tahini parsely and pomegranates

This famous levant dish is one of the popular dishes, yet so underrated. Everyone from the Levant region (Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan) has grown up eating roasted or fried cauliflower; it's either served as part of a meze, stuffed into a piece of bread or tossed in a batter to make Ijaza. Regardless of how it's prepared, a side of lemony garlic sauce is a MUST!

In particular, this recipe is most commonly prepared with fried cauliflower⏤which is absolutely delicious, and it's highly recommended that you must try it at some point in your life.

However, I decided to share the roasted version as it's a no-fuss option that allows you time away from the kitchen or, should say it's one less dinner component that needs your full attention.

This recipe is all about the cauliflower! We’re talking old-school basic roasting—nothing fancy, just roasted cauliflower. Oven roasting your cauliflower is the easiest no-fuss way to prepare this humble veg; you'll achieve a perfect caramelized looking and well maintaining the taste and texture.

What You'll Need to Make This Recipe

Whole head of cauliflower
Olive oil
Tahini
Lemon
Garlic
Pomegranate Molasses (optional, but very delicious)
Fresh Herbs of your choice (parsley, mint, cilantro, or dill)
Fresh pomegranate seeds are always welcomed but it's not a necessity

A plate with roasted cauliflower tahini and pomergante molasses

How to Roast Cauliflower

Perfectly roasting your cauliflower is really easy, and fool-proof with just a few tips.

Heat your oven to 425ºC
Cut your cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Place into a large bowl, add olive oil, salt and pepper or your spices of choice.
Prepare your baking sheet. Empty the cauliflower florets onto the baking sheet. Ensure the cauliflower is spread out to avoid steaming well roasting.
Roast the cauliflower for 25 minutes flip and continue roasting for 10-15 minutes.
Remove from the oven. You're all done roasting the cauliflower, it should fork tender and so delicious.

How to Make Tahini Sauce?

Tahini is one of my favourite dips. You can read more about my Easy Creamy Tahini Sauce from this link. Tahini sauce is so easy; it's done in two steps.

Add all the tahini sauce ingredients into a large bowl.
Slowly add water. Mix. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more water, it's too thin, add more tahini. Easy-peasy.

A cose up photo of roasted cauliflower and tahini with pomgranate seeds, molasses and parsley

Sarah's Tip For The Best Oven Roasted Cauliflower

Bring the cauliflower to room temperature before baking. When roasting the cauliflower, it's best to add it to the oven when it's at room temperature. This will prevent the oven from temperature fluctuations, which will result in a slow caramelization. A slow caramelization isn't as desirable as a quick caramelization when oven roasting a plain tasting vegetable like cauliflower.
Bake on high heat. You want your oven to be scorching before cooking the cauliflower so you can achieve a perfect caramelization, taste, and texture.
Give the florets some room. Space your florets prevents them from steaming during the baking process. The last thing you want is a sulphurous smelling cauliflower.
Place the cauliflower in a bowl to season. Whenever you're preparing baked cauliflower, it's best to place it into a bowl for seasoning instead of seasoning it on the baking sheet. This way, you can ensure the seasoning and oil as entirely coated all of the cauliflower. (Sorry, I know no one likes cleaning an extra bowl, but it's worth it)

Tahini Sauce Variations

There are so many different ways to make tahini sauce. Here are a few of my favourite add-ins

2 tablespoons of Orange juice and a tablespoon of zest
Miso! Add in a tablespoon of miso for an extra depth of flavour
Harissa, yes!!! This is my all-time favourite Add-in for tahini sauce.
Chiptole pepper in abode sauce just one of these peppers will do.
Honey or date syrup for a sweet sauce. Start with a teaspoon and add more depending on how sweet you would like it.
Fresh herb, whip up this sauce with some fresh herbs for a green tahini sauce. A blender is needed for this option.
Finely dice a tomato and parsley and make a thicker sauce. I love this option for sandwiches.

Frequently Asked Questions

My cauliflower has brown spots, can I still use it?

As long as the spot isn't black, you can cut the discolouration away from the surface of the cauliflower. However, if the cauliflower is black, it's better to toss it.

How do I store the leftovers?

It's best to store the cauliflower and tahini separately. However, I'm assuming it most likely will be stored after it has been served. If you find yourself in this situation, then store the prepared food in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in a frying pan, add the leftover with a little water, and reheat on low heat until warm.

How long can I store the leftovers?

The Tahini sauce can be stored for a week without any issues. However, cauliflower should be consumed within 3-4 days.

More Middle Eastern Classics

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