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Whole Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower Recipe
4.6 from 102 votes

Whole Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower Recipe

Roasting a whole cauliflower head after steaming and coating it with a spiced yogurt marinade creates a tender, flavorful centerpiece with a mildly smoky and aromatic profile. The use of Kashmiri chili powder, garam masala, fenugreek leaves, turmeric, and garlic in the marinade infuses the cauliflower with complex Indian-inspired flavors while the steaming step ensures it cooks evenly and stays moist. A cooling cucumber raita with garlic and cilantro balances the spices, and garnishes like roasted pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and pickled onions add texture and bursts of flavor.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Calories: 119 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 1 cauliflower trimmed (2.12 pounds before removing the leaves and stems, 1.3 pounds after, head
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon Turmeric ground
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for basting
Marinade:
  • 2 tablespoons yogurt
  • 1 to 3 teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 1 teaspoon garlic grated
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon fenugreek leaves dried, aka Kasoori Methi
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Raita:
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 cucumbers peeled and grated, small, Persian
  • 1 garlic grated, clove
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin ground
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Garnish:
  • 2 tablespoons pistachios rough chopped, roasted
  • 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds or cranberries/raisins
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro finely chopped
  • onion pickled
  • 4 lemon wedges

Instructions

Step 1: Brine and Steam the Cauliflower
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add 1 cup water to Instant Pot.
  2. Place the cauliflower head on the trivet and place the trivet inside the Instant Pot
  3. Mix salt and turmeric in 2 tablespoons of water and brush it all over the cauliflower. Turn the cauliflower over and evenly pour any remaining brine on it.
  4. Then place the cauliflower back on the trivet with the stem down. Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing. Pressure Cook for 1 minute followed by quick release and open the Instant Pot.
Step 2: Marinate and Roast
  1. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl. Apply the marinade on the steamed cauliflower using a brush or silicone spatula. You can also turn the cauliflower over to get any remaining marinade under the cauliflower. Then place the cauliflower back on the trivet with the stem down. Apply the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over the cauliflower.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 400 F. Place the marinated cauliflower in the air fryer. Air fry at 400 F for 5 minutes. You can also roast in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 3: Raita
  1. In a bowl, add finely grated cucumber, salt, grated garlic, ground cumin and cilantro. Add yogurt and mix well.
Step 4: Plating
  1. Place the cauliflower in a medium serving platter. Pour Raita around the cauliflower. Garnish with cilantro, pistachios, pomegranates and pickled onions. Add lemon wedges to the side.
  2. Cut into ½ inch steaks while serving.

Notes

  • Pickled onions can be prepared ahead using red pearl onions boiled in salted water and then steeped in a hot vinegar solution with sugar and spices, refrigerated for at least an hour before serving.
  • Store-bought pickled onions or relishes may be used as a convenient garnish alternative.

Nutrition Information

Calories 119kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 4g (20%) Trans Fat 0.002g (0%) Cholesterol 3mg (1%) Sodium 1408mg (59%) Potassium 448mg (10%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 162IU (3%) Vitamin C 54mg (60%) Calcium 82mg (8%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 119

% Daily Value*

Calories 119kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0.002g 0%
Cholesterol 3mg 1%
Sodium 1408mg 59%
Potassium 448mg 10%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 162IU 3%
Vitamin C 54mg 60%
Calcium 82mg 8%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.