Harissa Cauliflower
User Reviews
5
39 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
279 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
Harissa Cauliflower
Report
Harissa Cauliflower features medium-sized cauliflower pieces coated with a spiced harissa marinade and either baked or sautéed until tender-crisp. Served with a creamy tahini dill dressing and garnished with pumpkin seeds, cilantro, and pepper flakes, this dish combines smoky and spicy flavors with a nutty sauce and crunchy topping for a textured, flavorful vegetable side or main component.
Description
This recipe prepares cauliflower pieces coated in a marinade made of harissa paste or powder along with cooking oil, paprika, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. The seasoned cauliflower is cooked either baked in the oven at 400°F until tender or sautéed in a skillet with some water to steam it to a tender-crisp texture.
The accompanying dressing mixes tahini with lemon juice, maple syrup, dill, and a pinch each of black pepper and salt, thinned with hot water to achieve a pourable consistency. Once cooked, the cauliflower is tossed with the marinade or dressing to coat evenly.
The dish is finished with serving accompaniments like hummus, pumpkin seeds or nuts, chopped cilantro, and red pepper flakes for added flavor and texture contrast. It offers a balance of smoky, spicy, nutty, and tangy elements.
Harissa level can be adjusted from mild to spicy depending on preference. Gluten-free and soy-free options are possible by selecting appropriate wraps if used. The recipe encourages flexible preparation including wraps or eating as a side.
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Ingredients
For the Harissa Cauliflower
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups cauliflower chopped into medium-sized pieces, about 1- to 1 1/2-inches
For the Marinade
- 2 teaspoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons harissa paste or harissa sauce
- 2 teaspoons paprika sweet
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Tahini dill Dressing
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon dill or 1 tablespoon fresh, dried
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
- 2 to 4 tablespoons water hot
For Serving
- 1 cup hummus or more, to taste
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds or use other seeds or nuts, like hemp seeds, pecans, or pistachios, chopped
- cilantro as needed, chopped cilantro
- pepper flakes as needed, chopped cilantro
Instructions
Make the cauliflower.
- Chop the cauliflower, if you haven't already. Prep the rest of the ingredients.
- To bake the cauliflower: In a large bowl, add all of the marinade ingredients and mix really well, then add in the cauliflower and toss well to coat. Then, spread the cauliflower on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400° F (205° C) for 28 to 32 minutes, or until the cauliflower is done to preference. Remove the cauliflower and use.
- To cook the cauliflower in a skillet: Add the cauliflower to a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes, then add in 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water. Close the lid, let the cauliflower steam for 5 to 7 minutes, or until tender-crisp, then open the lid. In a small bowl, mix in all of the remaining marinade ingredients, and add them to the skillet. (You can also add everything to the skillet in the middle and mix it together right there instead of using a bowl). Then toss the cauliflower well to coat, and continue to cook, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes, so that the sauce thickens and the cauliflower starts to caramelize on the edges. Depending on your skillet and cauliflower floret size, you might have to cook a bit longer. Or, if it's already getting very tender, then switch off the heat.
Make the tahini dressing.
- In a bowl, add the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, dill, salt, and pepper and mix. Add in 2 tablespoons of hot water, and mix in, and start whipping it. If it's too thick, then add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water, and mix in. Then, continue to whip it, so that the tahini mixture gets light and fluffy. This will take a minute. The mixture will feel too thin in the beginning, and then it will start to get thick, and there will be resistance, keep whipping it, so that the mixture isn't too thick. The dressing will continue to thicken as it sits, so if you are making it ahead, you will have to add some hot water to thin it out before using.
Assemble and serve.
- Spread 1/4 to 1/3 cup of hummus to a plate, then top it with the harissa cauliflower. Drizzle the tahini dressing generously over the top. Top it with some chopped pumpkin seeds or other seeds and nuts choice. You can also sprinkle in a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat. Garnish with some cilantro or other fresh herbs, like parsley, and serve immediately.
- To make it a wrap: Add the hummus to warmed pita bread or a warm tortilla, then top it with harissa cauliflower, some chopped cucumber, onion, and/or lettuce. Add a good helping of the tahini dressing and serve.
Notes
- Choose between spicy or mild harissa paste based on heat preference.
- To use harissa powder, mix with lemon juice and chopped red pepper for marinade.
- This recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free unless served with wraps; select gluten-free wraps if needed.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
279kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
23g
(8%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Sodium
658mg
(27%)
Potassium
598mg
(13%)
Fiber
7g
(28%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
578IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
46mg
(51%)
Calcium
77mg
(8%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 279 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 279kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Sodium | 658mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 598mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 578IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 46mg | 51% |
| Calcium | 77mg | 8% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
39 reviews
Excellent
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