Ultimate Whole Roasted Cauliflower (With Whipped Feta!)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
377 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Ultimate Whole Roasted Cauliflower (With Whipped Feta!)
Description
The Ultimate Whole Roasted Cauliflower (With Whipped Feta!) highlights a full head of cauliflower coated inside and out with a marinade of olive oil, water, brown sugar, and warming spices including smoked paprika, curry powder, and cumin. Baking it stem-side down over a water bath helps steam and tenderize the vegetable gently, allowing it to develop a balance of softness with some caramelized browning when briefly broiled. The accompanying whipped feta blends feta and cream cheese for a smooth, tangy finishing touch. The herb sauce, a mix of parsley, jalapeño, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, adds bright and spicy notes, sharpening the rich feta and mellow cauliflower.
Served whole or sliced and garnished with toasted pine nuts, this dish works well as a vegetarian main or a shareable side. The marinade’s sweet and smoky spices lend depth, while the whipped feta and herb sauce introduce creamy and fresh contrasts. The steaming technique ensures the cauliflower avoids drying out, making for a tender, flavorful experience.
Variations include substituting the whipped feta with vegan yogurt or cream to make it vegan, or changing the herb sauce for romesco or a vegan “yum sauce.” The dish can be spiced up with cayenne or harissa as desired. Slices fit better in storage containers and keep refrigerated for three days, reheated in an oven or air fryer to regain texture.
Ingredients
Cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower
- 2 Tbsp olive oil 30 mL
- 2 Tbsp water 30 mL
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar 20 g
- 1 tsp each smoked paprika
- 1 tsp each curry powder
- 1 tsp each cumin
- 1 tsp each salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Whipped Feta
- 8 oz feta cheese 226 g, room temperature
- 3 oz cream cheese 85 g, room temperature
Herb Sauce
- ½ cup parsley can replace half with cilantro, packed; fresh
- ½ cup olive oil 118 mL
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeds removed
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice 15 mL
- ¼ tsp salt
Garnish
- pine nuts handful
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Trim the leaves and tough bottom stem from the cauliflower, being sure to leave the head intact. Whisk together all remaining "Cauliflower" ingredients. Flip the cauliflower upside down and pour half of the mixture into the cauliflower, tilting it around to evenly coat the inside. Brush the remaining marinade onto the outside.
- Bake: Set a pan filled with water in the bottom of the oven, which will steam and tenderize the cauliflower. Place the cauliflower stem-side down onto a baking sheet or pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork. If cauliflower hasn't become brown on the outside, switch oven to broil and cook for about 5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Sauces: While cauliflower cooks, add feta and cream cheese to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Remove from processor, wipe it clean, then blend "Herb Sauce" ingredients until smooth.
- Serve: Place cauliflower on a serving tray. Serve warm, slathered with whipped feta, drizzled with herb sauce, and sprinkled with pine nuts.
Notes
- Omit the whipped feta or replace it with vegan yogurt or cream for a vegan version.
- Try romesco sauce or vegan "yum sauce" instead of the herb sauce for different flavor profiles.
- Add cayenne or harissa to the marinade to increase spiciness.
- Cauliflower florets can be used with reduced baking time and tossing in the marinade.
- Slice cooked cauliflower into rounds for easier storage; keeps up to 3 days refrigerated and reheats well in oven or air fryer.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 377 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 377kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 8.3g | 3% |
| Protein | 7.6g | 15% |
| Fat | 36.5g | 56% |
| Saturated Fat | 12.1g | 61% |
| Cholesterol | 49mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 966mg | 40% |
| Potassium | 225mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1.5g | 6% |
| Sugar | 5.7g | 11% |
| Calcium | 221mg | 22% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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