Tahini Roasted Cauliflower

Tahini roasted cauliflower is roasted and then tossed with a few simple ingredients and creamy tahini dressing and cooked again to seal in the savory goodness. You will love this tahini roasted cauliflower recipe as an appetizer or served on top of rice or quinoa.

Tahini roasted cauliflower, by far is one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. Roasted cauliflower absorbs any flavor like a sponge, so I love making this tahini roasted cauliflower recipe.

Jump to:

• Tahini Roasted Cauliflower Ingredients
• Tahini Roasted Cauliflower Ingredient Substitutions
• What are Marcona Almonds?
• Tahini Dressing Ingredients
• Tahini Dressing Ingredient Substitutions
• How to Make Tahini Roasted Cauliflower 
• Recipe FAQs
• Tips
• Vegan Recipes for the Whole Family
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

One of my favorite restaurants in Arizona is called True Food Kitchen. The restaurant's founder, Dr. Andrew Weil, believes in the concept of food as medicine. Although not all vegan, the menu focuses on organic foods with many plant-based options.

Although I use roasted cauliflower for various dishes, tahini roasted cauliflower is in a league all its own. 

Even though I wish I had created this concoction myself, I didn't. Instead, I made a copycat version replicating True Food Kitchen's recipe.

If you love cauliflower and tahini, this combination with dates and pistachios (or any nuts) will pique your interest. Together, the combination of sweet, crunchy, and savory is a marriage of flavors I've never eaten.

Tahini Roasted Cauliflower Ingredients

Even though I love going out for dinner, cooking at home and sharing my recipes gives me much pleasure.

Since True Food Kitchen is only located in Arizona and California, I decided to share this incredible dish with everyone to enjoy.

Despite attempting to ask for the authentic recipe, I had to develop my version of tahini roasted cauliflower, which my husband claims I nailed. 

• Cauliflower: Cauliflower is the perfect superfood that absorbs the flavors of sauces and spices like a sponge.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is ground, dried garlic. Once the cauliflower is washed, it sticks to the florets, providing immense flavor.
• Medjool Dates: Medjool dates are picked early in the ripening season when they are soft.
• Marcona Almonds: Marcona almonds are a type of sweet, gourmet almond from Spain that is very popular in Mediterranean countries. I buy them at Trader Joe's.
• Dill: Fresh dill is my favorite herb; it's packed with flavor.
• Tahini Dressing: Tahini dressing is a simple combination of tahini lemon, garlic, and other goodies.

Tahini Roasted Cauliflower Ingredient Substitutions

• If you don't like cauliflower, broccoli works well. Cabbage is also a possibility.
• Choose fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder.
• One clove of garlic equals about ⅛th of a teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Try regular dates instead of Medjool dates. If they are hard, boil some water and soak them for a few minutes before draining them and chopping them up.
• Instead of Marcona almonds, pistachios work well. Or, choose any nuts you prefer.
• For a nut-free option, skip the nuts.
• Parsley is often used instead of dill.
• Bottled tahini dressings are available at the store, or choose another sauce, such as lemon basil dressing or mustard dill sauce.

What are Marcona Almonds?

Marcona almonds are a sweet, gourmet almond from Spain that is very popular in Mediterranean countries. 

And, let's not forget about the sauce, the secret ingredient. 

Tahini Dressing Ingredients

• Tahini: Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds and is a staple in many cuisines, especially in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
• Water: The water thins the tahini sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Lemon juice provides an acidic component and a delightful citrus flavor.
• Salt/Pepper: A little salt and pepper enhance the flavors in the sauce.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is best whenever possible in sauces and dressings.
• Harissa: Harissa is slightly sweet, smoky, tangy, and just spicy enough but not too hot.

Tahini Dressing Ingredient Substitutions

• Substitute any nut butter for tahini.
• Or, try unsweetened, unflavored vegan yogurt.
• Use bottled lemon juice if fresh juice isn't available.
• One clove of garlic equals about ⅛th of a teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Sriracha is a terrific harissa substitute, or try crushed red pepper flakes.

How to Make Tahini Roasted Cauliflower 

First, make sure you clean and cut the cauliflower florets into bite-sized pieces.

The cauliflower cooks twice; first, roast it, then toss it with the dressing and other ingredients before cooking it again. The second time is where all the magic takes place. 

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
• After cleaning and cutting the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, place a single layer on the baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with garlic powder.
• Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool to the touch

The next step, however, is as simple as the first:

• Place cooled cauliflower in a medium-sized bowl.
• Then add chopped dates and nuts of choice.
• Add ¾ of the dressing.
• Pour into a casserole dish
• Stir to coat cauliflower.
• Bake again for 20 minutes.

But, my favorite part of the tahini roasted cauliflower recipe is garnishing with a generous dill portion. Did I say how much I love dill? Dill is my favorite herb. 

Not only is tahini roasted cauliflower easy to make, but it also reheats well for lunch the next day.

As an appetizer, side dish, or entree, you will love this recipe as much as I do.

Of course, you can add roasted tahini cauliflower to a bowl of quinoa, brown rice, on top of noodles, or on top of a salad. But I like it straight up with a fork! 

Recipe FAQs

Tips

• Cut the cauliflower florets into similar sizes, so it roasts evenly.
• For a nut-free option, delete the nuts and add more dates.
• If you like it spicier, add more harissa to the sauce. However, I suggest adding in small amounts and tasting for personal preference. Spiciness can always be added, but it is difficult to remove once added to a recipe.
• Since Harissa is a unique food item, try crushed red pepper flakes.
• If you love cauliflower as much as I do, try General Tso cauliflower or cauliflower stuffing.
• Serve as a side dish or an entree over brown rice or quinoa.

Transform cauliflower into a savory side dish or entree with a few simple ingredients to make tahini roasted cauliflower.

Vegan Recipes for the Whole Family

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