Roasted Garlic Cauliflower With Tahini (Printable)

Golden spiced cauliflower meets creamy lemony tahini in this vibrant Middle Eastern-inspired dish.

# List of ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 1.5 lbs)
02 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

→ Roasting

03 - 3 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Creamy Tahini Drizzle

08 - 1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
09 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
11 - 2 tbsp water (plus more as needed)
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 1/4 tsp sea salt

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
15 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Spread cauliflower in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown and crisp-tender.
04 - While the cauliflower roasts, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, water, minced garlic, and salt until smooth. Add more water for a thinner consistency if desired.
05 - Transfer roasted cauliflower to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with tahini sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tahini drizzle transforms simple roasted cauliflower into something restaurant worthy and luxurious
  • Spices like smoked paprika and cumin add layers of flavor that make everyone forget they are eating vegetables
  • This dish travels beautifully to potlucks and actually tastes better at room temperature
02 -
  • Overcrowding the baking sheet will steam the cauliflower instead of roasting it so work in batches if needed
  • The tahini sauce will thicken as it sits so add another splash of water right before serving if needed
  • Resist the urge to flip the cauliflower too frequently it needs uninterrupted contact with the hot pan to get those golden crispy bits
03 -
  • Buy tahini in jars from the middle aisle rather than the refrigerated section which tends to separate more
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for just 2 minutes until fragrant and golden for maximum flavor impact

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