Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Before you shake your head or raise an eyebrow in disbelief, this is not the dried-out, slightly flimsy roasted cauliflower many have tasted in the past. The Big Dog Spices version is roasted to perfection and elevated by adding bright and bold flavours. This cauliflower is so delicious you won’t miss the meat.

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Try this flavourful, wholesome roasted cauliflower recipe with delicious spices for an exciting and satisfying main or side dish. Simple to prepare, this dish is sure to be a hit at your next dinner party or family gathering!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Zester
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Medium casserole dish with a lid, medium
  • Frying pan
  • Bowls
  • Measuring tools

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large cauliflower, outer leaves removed (approximately 1kg)
  • 50 ml dry sherry
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 30 ml olive oil
  • 50 g your choice of Big Dog Spices (we recommend: Big Tex, Double Chipotle, Hot & Nashty, Coat of Arms, or Bush Tucker)
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 x 400 g tin of quality plum tomatoes
  • 40 g almonds, flaked
  • 15 g flat-leaf parsley
  • 15 ml extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 180 °C
  • Peel the garlic and place it in the mortar with Big Dog Spices blend of your choice. Press into a paste and slowly add olive oil.
  • Zest the lemon in a separate bowl and set aside
  • Squeeze the lemon and reserve the juice
  • Trim the cauliflower, discarding leaves and trimming the stem, so the cauliflower has a flat base and sits upright
  • Rub seasoning paste all over the cauliflower and place in a medium casserole dish
  • Drizzle sherry and lemon juice over the cauliflower
  • Cover and place in the hot oven for an hour. Remove the lid and return to the oven for 20 minutes
  • Empty the tomato tin into the pan, slicing or shredding the tomatoes
  • Sprinkle the lemon zest and parsley on top of the cauliflower and put in the oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown
  • While cauliflower roasts, toast almond flakes in a dry pan until golden and set aside to cool
  • Remove cauliflower from oven, sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve

Video

Keyword Vegetarian
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Benefits of Cauliflower in Your Diet

Did you know cauliflower is considered a superfood? The health benefits of cauliflower have to do with its high nutrient density, a reflection of the high number of nutrients per calorie it provides.

Health benefits include:

  • High fibre: Cauliflower contains fibre, which helps promote healthy bacteria in your digestive system. This supports digestive health and can help reduce inflammation.
  • Anti-inflammation: A great source of antioxidants, which have been proven to prevent damage to cells and reduce inflammation.
  • Weight loss: Cauliflower contains 25 calories per cup and may help promote weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness.

Our whole roasted cauliflower is a plant-based recipe that fits into any diet or meal plan you may be following. It’s so full of flavour and texture (and health benefits) that it will satisfy your tastebuds while nourishing your body!

Easy to Prepare

If you’re looking for the ultimate shortcut, then it doesn’t get any better than roasting a head of cauliflower whole. Skip the time-consuming step of cutting the cauliflower into florets and roast your cauliflower whole, right on a baking sheet. The result – a perfectly roasted crowd-pleaser.

Spices to Use for Roasted Cauliflower

When used in hearty vegetarian dishes like our Homemade Smashed Potatoes, our unique spice blends make a phenomenal difference. However, if you’re preparing the roasted cauliflower recipe below, we recommend the following spices:

Learn to Cook with Spices

Spice up your cooking game with our free Beginner's Guide to Cooking with Spices