Whole roast cauliflower with green sauce
Whole roast cauliflower topped with a vibrant green sauce made from peanuts, shallots, and chili peppers creates a stunning dish with a balance of spice, acidity, and nuttiness. Perfect for sharing at dinner parties or as a bold weeknight meal.
Cook time 90 min
Prep time 20 min
Ingredients:
3/4 cup olive oil1/3 cup peanuts
2 shallots
2 red hot chili peppers
2 garlic cloves
1 tbsp lime zest
2 tbsp mirin
Whole roast cauliflower with green sauce is a delightful and healthy dish that is sure to impress both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. This recipe delivers a robust and flavorful experience, combining the earthy notes of roasted cauliflower with a zesty and tangy green sauce. Using ingredients like olive oil, peanuts, shallots, red hot chili peppers, garlic, lime zest, and mirin, this dish strikes a perfect balance between spice, acidity, and creamy nuttiness. It's not only visually stunning but also relatively simple to prepare, making it a perfect centerpiece for dinner parties or a gourmet weeknight meal.
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Remove the leaves and the tough stem from the cauliflower, but keep it whole.
- Rinse the cauliflower under running water and pat it dry with a kitchen towel.
- Place the cauliflower on a baking sheet or in an ovenproof dish.
- Drizzle about 2–3 tablespoons of the olive oil over the cauliflower and rub it in to ensure it's well coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cauliflower is golden brown and tender when pierced with a knife.
- Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, add the peanuts, shallots, hot chili peppers, garlic cloves, lime zest, and mirin.
- Add the remaining olive oil. Blend until smooth. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides a few times.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional lime zest if desired.
- Once the cauliflower is roasted to perfection, remove it from the oven.
- Transfer the cauliflower to a serving platter.
- Generously spoon or drizzle the green sauce over the cauliflower.
- Garnish with extra lime zest or chopped cilantro if desired.
- Serve the whole roast cauliflower as a centerpiece dish. Slice into wedges to serve. Enjoy!
Once you’ve mastered this whole roast cauliflower with green sauce, you'll find it to be an incredibly versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side. The combination of smokiness from the roasted cauliflower and the vibrant green sauce will excite your taste buds, leaving you and your guests coming back for more. Whether you're catering to dietary restrictions or simply exploring new flavors, this recipe is a must-try. Enjoy the beautiful presentation and the explosion of flavors this dish offers.
Whole roast cauliflower with green sauce FAQ:
Bake the whole cauliflower at 400°F (200°C) for 45 minutes to 1 hour. It's done when golden brown and tender when pierced with a knife.
The cauliflower is done when it is golden brown and can be easily pierced with a knife or fork. Check for tenderness after about 45 minutes.
Yes, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
You can substitute peanuts with cashews, almonds, or sunflower seeds if you need a nut-free option. Adjust the amount based on the desired flavor.
Yes, you can adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer red hot chili peppers. For a milder sauce, consider using bell peppers or omitting the chilies altogether.
Tips:
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even roasting.
- Trim the base of the cauliflower so it sits flat in your roasting pan, helping it cook evenly.
- To enhance the flavor of the cauliflower, marinate it with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.
- Roast the cauliflower for 45-60 minutes, basting it with olive oil every 15 minutes to keep it moist and enhance its golden color.
- While the cauliflower is roasting, prepare the green sauce by blending peanuts, shallots, red hot chili peppers, garlic, lime zest, mirin, and olive oil until smooth.
- Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more olive oil if needed, and season with salt to taste.
- For a milder sauce, remove the seeds from the chili peppers before blending.
- Serve the roasted cauliflower whole or cut into florets, generously drizzled with the green sauce for maximum flavor.
- Garnish with freshly chopped herbs like cilantro or parsley for an added fresh touch.
Nutrition per serving
8 ServingsCalories 45kcal
Protein 1.95g
Carbohydrates 3.36g
Fiber 0.99g
Sugar 1.59g
Fat 27g
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