If you have a hard time enjoying veggies, this roasted cauliflower with tahini drizzle will change your opinion.
I’ll be honest, after they started putting cauliflower in everything (rice, pizza crust, crackers, pasta, etc.), I couldn’t even think about it for a while. But, recently I brought cauliflower back into my life and wow, did I miss it! I forgot how great a simple roasted vegetable dish can be.
If you are one of those people who was only offered steamed or raw vegetables growing up, you probably aren’t the biggest fan of veggies. And that’s completely understandable!
I think one of the most effective ways you can improve your health and eat more nutritious foods is learning how to prepare them in delicious and easy ways. This roasted cauliflower with tahini drizzle recipe is one example of how to make vegetables delicious!
Ingredients for Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Drizzle
This recipe is pretty simple and you likely will only need to pick up a few ingredients at the store (as long as you’re stocked up on spices!).
- Cauliflower: the star ingredient
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Tahini
- Lemon
- Garlic powder
- Fresh herbs: chives, dill, mint
What is tahini?
Tahini is ground up sesame seeds. It’s made in a similar process to nut butters like peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower seed butter. It is sometimes mixed with salt, garlic and/or lemon juice.
It is commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine and is one of the main ingredients in hummus, alongside chickpeas.
Tip: Tahini tends to separate so make sure you stir up the jar before measuring it out.
What are the health benefits of cauliflower and tahini?
One tbsp of tahini contains about 90 calories, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein. The fat in tahini comes from a mix of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, both of which are considered healthy fats.
Tahini is also a good source of thiamine (or vitamin B1), copper, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc. It also contains some calcium.
One cup of cooked cauliflower contains about 30 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fat and 2 grams of protein. Cauliflower contains about 3 grams of fiber as well, which is great for good digestion and regular bowel movements.
Cauliflower is a good source of B vitamins (particular B5 and B6), folate, vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese. It also contains some potassium which is great for heart health.
Overall, both cauliflower and tahini are nutrient dense foods and a great way to get essential vitamins and minerals into your diet.
How to make Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Drizzle
This recipe is fairly easy and straightforward to make. You simply need to bake the cauliflower, prepare the sauce and drizzle!
Step 1: On a cutting board, chop the cauliflower into bite sized pieces. Add to a medium sized mixing bowl.
Step 2: In the mixing bowl, add olive oil and salt and pepper. Gently mix to evenly distribute the oil and spices.
Step 3: Pour cauliflower onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden and crispy.
Step 4: In a small mixing bowl, add all the ingredients for the tahini drizzle. Stir until combined. Drizzle over roasted cauliflower and enjoy!
Can I make this with frozen cauliflower?
Yes! You can make this recipe with frozen cauliflower instead of fresh cauliflower, though the recipe does turn out better if you use fresh.
Simply coat the frozen cauliflower with the olive oil and spices and throw it in the oven. Then, bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-30 minutes. Flip them about halfway through. When they start to get nice and crispy around the edges, they should be ready.
From there, simply make the tahini sauce and drizzle it on top of the cauliflower, simple as that. I love frozen vegetables because they don’t go bad and they are usually a much cheaper option compared to fresh vegetables.
That being said, if you use frozen cauliflower they will turn out more soft and tender, while fresh cauliflower will be more chewy. I personally prefer fresh, but choose whichever you prefer or whichever fits your budget better.
If you tried out this recipe and liked it, please comment below and share. Also remember to tag me on Instagram and TikTok!
Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Drizzle
Ingredients
Roasted Cauliflower
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Tahini Drizzle
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4 tbsp water
- herbs dill, chives and mint
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Chop head of cauliflower into bite sized pieces. Arrange evenly on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Roast the cauliflower for 25-30 minutes.
- While cauliflower is roasting, add ingredients for the tahini drizzle into a small bowl. Add herbs as desired. Add additional water until smooth consistency is reached.
- Drizzle tahini sauce over roasted cauliflower and serve right away.
