Dreamy Roasted Cauliflower Bowl

Nourishing but not heavy, and impressive without being weird or complicated. That’s this dreamy roasted cauliflower bowl. You can make this salad for countless occasions and it will always be just right. Savoury cauliflower, tahini dressing, lentils, toasted almonds, dates, apricots and greens.

Where my cauliflower lovers at?!

I know you’re here and I know you’re ready for this mouth full of savoury roasted cauliflower and creamy tahini sauce. Simple yet beautiful enough for the most special of occasions.

This bowl dreamy creamy cauliflower is the answer to the age-old question “WHAT DO I EAT IN WINTER TO STAY HEALTHY “while NOT eating a cold leafy salad cause I need some comfort right now. I do love a good cold and crunchy leafy fattoush salad, and I know you do, too. But friends. Have you been to Ottawa lately? It is a tundra. 10cm of snow and -30 windchill this weekend.

So here’s to some love in a bowl, this is winter food at its most delicious. Like, if there was ever a reason to be a little less sad that it’s still winter and you’re going to have to stay in yet again cause it too cold or just too much snow, this would be it. Savoury cauliflower coated in just the right amount of luxurious creamy tahini sauce, with speckled with lentils and pockets of sweet bliss with dates and apricots.

Here’s how this is going down.

What you’ll need for this cauliflower salad.

Cauliflower. One whole head, yes the whole thing. There’s no substitute for this ingredient or you won’t really be making a cauliflower salad. But if you insist on substituting it, I’m sure it will be good cause Tahini sauce makes everything taste good. 😅

Spices. a bit of cinnamon, cumin, and ginger.

Olive oil. You’ll just need a drizzle for the cauliflower, before going into the oven.

Lentils. Cooked or canned will do. No judgement. You do you!

Watercress. Don’t have it, can’t find it, Just substitute with any spicy or savoury greens you like. Spinach, kale, arugula, or even parsley.

Almonds. Whole almonds roasted and roughly chopped, we’re looking for just a bit of crunch here.

Pickled red onions. Slice a whole small onion. Cover them in red wine vinegar and 1 tsp of salt. let sit for at least 15 minutes. Easy-peeze.

Dried fruit. I used dates and apricots. You can use any dried fruit you wish, I would be interested to know any variations you’ve tried.

Tahini sauce. The golden elixir of Eastern Meditteranean food. It’s my everything sauce. The variations are endless, but I went with the classic-style for this recipe.

That’s it, my friends, just some simple ingredients from your pantry and you’re on your way to make this dreamy creamy bowl of goodness.

How to make this dreamy cauliflower bowl.

First, we going to core and cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Place the cauliflower into a large bowl. Drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle with the spices. Message the spices on to all of the cauliflower. Every piece should be coated.

Secondly, Add the cauliflower to a sheet pan and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.

Thirdly, Add lentil to the bowl the cauliflower was in. No need to dirty another bowl. Mix in the dried fruit and cooked cauliflower.

Finally, time to assemble. Get out your favourite large bowl. Add a handful of watercress then top with cauliflower mixture. Add a healthy amount of tahini, don’t be shy here! Top with pickled onions, almonds, and bit more greens for that an eye-pleasing effect only green can give brown food.

Oh yes, we did. Bring it in. Group hug.

If I haven’t convinced you enough yet to try this salad here’s a little more encouragement. 😉

This dreamy roasted cauliflower bowl is:

• awake with sweet and savoury flavours
• creamy
• extremely comforting
• satisfying and super-filling
• nutritious
• kind to your gut
• JUST SO SUPER GOOD.

Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Nourishing but not heavy, and impressive without being weird or complicated. You can make this salad for countless occassion and it will always be just right. Fragrant cauliflower, tahini dressing lentils, toasted almond, dates, apricots and greens.

• Author: Sarah
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x
• Category: salad
• Method: oven
• Cuisine: Middle eastern

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp cumin, ground
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon, ground
• 1/2 ginger, ground
• 1/4 tsp aleppo pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 small red onion, pickled thinly sliced*
• 2 cups of cooked lentils
• 6 dried dates
• 6 dried apricots
• 1/2 cup almonds, roughly chopped
• 2 cups of watercrest.

Classic Creamy Tahini dressing:

• ½ cup tahini
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 6 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
• 1 small garlic clove, grated or pressed
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Add the cauliflower to a large bowl, then drizzle the olive oil on to the cauliflower and add spices. Mix everything to ensure an even coating of spices on the cauliflower.
3. Add the cauliflower to a sheet pan. Make sure the pan is large enough that the cauliflower has space. Bake for 15 -20 minutes or until the cauliflower is softened and golden colour. Once cauliflower is finished baking allow to cool for 5 minutes. NOT too long, you want to eat it when it’s still warm.
4. Well, the cauliflower is baking. It’s time to make your tahini dressing. Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well, if the tahini is too thick, add more water. Be sure only to add 1 tbsp at a time.
5.  Find your favourite large salad bowl, add the cooked lentils, and watercress to the bowl. Then add the cauliflower. Top the cauliflower with dried fruits, almonds and pickled onions.
6. Drizzle the tahini dressing on the salad just before eating.
7. Enjoy with a loved one.

Notes

• If you wish to eat this salad at a later time, like the next day for lunch. Store the watercress & pickled onions separate from the cauilflower, lentils, dried fruit, and nut mixture. This way you can heat the salad up and then add the watercress, pickles, and tahini sauce.
• Quick Pickled Onion: Thinly slice 1 whole red onion. Cover in the onion in red wine vinegar and add 1 tbsp salt. Allow to sit at least 15 minutes. I usually start making the pickles first.