Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini (Printable version)
Golden roasted cauliflower steaks drizzled with creamy, lemony tahini sauce and garnished with fresh herbs and nuts.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cauliflower
01 - 2 large heads of cauliflower
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Tahini Sauce
08 - 1/2 cup tahini
09 - 1 clove garlic, minced
10 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/3 cup water, plus more as needed
→ Garnish (optional)
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
14 - 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds
15 - Pomegranate seeds
# Directions:
01 - Set the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Remove leaves and trim stems of each cauliflower, keeping the core intact. Cut each into 1-inch-thick steaks, yielding about 2-3 steaks per head. Reserve loose florets for another use.
03 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper; whisk until blended.
04 - Arrange the cauliflower steaks on the prepared baking sheet and brush both sides thoroughly with the marinade.
05 - Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, turning halfway through, until steaks are golden brown and tender when pierced with a fork.
06 - In a bowl, whisk together tahini, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Gradually incorporate water while whisking until the sauce is smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency with extra water if necessary.
07 - Place roasted cauliflower steaks on a serving platter. Drizzle with tahini sauce and top with chopped parsley, toasted nuts, and pomegranate seeds if desired. Serve warm.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- This dish feels like sharing a delightful secret with a friend, combining simple ingredients into something spectacular
- The blend of smoky spices and bright tahini sauce quickly became a family favorite for any occasion
02 -
- Keeping the core intact while slicing is key to maintaining the steak shape during roasting
- Slowly adding water to the tahini sauce prevents it from cracking and keeps it silky smooth
03 -
- If your tahini sauce is too thick, don't rush adding a lot of water—go slow and whisk continuously to find that perfect consistency
- Smoked paprika really transforms the flavor, giving it a subtle smoky edge that feels gourmet without extra effort