Whole Roasted Cauliflower Tahini (Print View)
Golden roasted cauliflower drizzled with a creamy lemon tahini sauce and garnished with herbs and sesame seeds.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cauliflower
01 - 1 large head cauliflower, leaves trimmed but core intact
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
06 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Tahini Drizzle
08 - 1/3 cup tahini
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 small garlic clove, grated or minced
12 - 2–4 tablespoons cold water
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Garnishes
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
15 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
16 - Pomegranate seeds (optional)
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Rinse the cauliflower and pat dry. Place the whole cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a small bowl, mix olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Rub this spice mixture all over the cauliflower, ensuring even coverage.
04 - Roast for 45–55 minutes, or until the cauliflower is golden-brown and a knife inserts easily into the thickest part. If it browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
05 - In a bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and salt. Gradually add cold water, whisking, until the sauce is creamy and pourable.
06 - Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the tahini sauce. Sprinkle with parsley, sesame seeds, and pomegranate seeds if using. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It looks like you spent hours on something elegant, but honestly it does most of the work itself
- That tahini drizzle is the kind of sauce you will want to put on everything afterward
02 -
- The tahini sauce might seize up at first but keep whisking and adding water, it will turn smooth and creamy
- A knife should slide into the thickest part easily when it is done, do not rush this step
03 -
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for just a minute until fragrant before sprinkling
- Room temperature cauliflower roasts more evenly than cold from the fridge