Cauliflower With Tahini Sauce Recipes

TAHINI CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil and canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cauliflower and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is tender and golden in spots, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the tahini, yogurt, pomegranate molasses, cumin, cayenne, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Transfer the cauliflower and garlic to a medium bowl and set aside. Wipe out the skillet and set over low heat.
• Add the tahini mixture and 1/3 cup water to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until smooth and warm, about 3 minutes. Add the cauliflower and garlic and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving platter.
• Combine the sesame seeds and za'atar in a small bowl. Top the cauliflower with the chopped parsley and sesame seed mixture.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI-PARSLEY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, and fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the cauliflower. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Drain and blot dry. Transfer to a baking dish.
• Season the cauliflower with salt and pepper, and toss with the olive oil. Place in the oven, and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring from time to time, until tender and lightly browned.
• Puree the garlic cloves with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mortar and pestle. Transfer to a bowl, and whisk in the sesame tahini. Whisk in the lemon juice, beginning with the smaller amount. The mixture will stiffen up. Gradually whisk in up to 1/2 cup water, until the sauce has the consistency of thick cream (or runny yogurt). Stir in the parsley. Taste, and adjust salt and lemon juice. Serve with the cauliflower. You will have some sauce left over.

GRILLED CAULIFLOWER SALAD WITH TAHINI YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high.
• Combine 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, 2 teaspoons of the sumac and the cumin and turmeric in a large bowl. Add the cauliflower florets and toss with the spice mix until fully coated.
• Place a grill basket or a 12-by-18-inch piece of aluminum foil on the grill, then add the cauliflower in a single layer. Close the lid and grill for 15 minutes. Open the lid and flip the florets with a pair of tongs. Close the lid and grill until the cauliflower is charred in spots and crisp tender, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, remaining 1 teaspoon sumac, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Set the tahini yogurt sauce aside.
• Transfer the grilled cauliflower to a large serving plate and season with salt. Top with the mint, parsley, green onions, red onions, walnuts and sultanas, then drizzle with the tahini yogurt sauce (see Cook's Note). Serve warm or at room temperature.

CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. To make the tahini sauce, place the tahini, water, lemon juice, parsley and garlic in a medium bowl and stir until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside until serving.
• 2. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat (if deep frying - see note below).
• 3. Add half the cauliflower to the hot oil and fry, turning occasionally, for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to drain. Repeat with remaining cauliflower. Place the fried cauliflower on a serving plate and drizzle with the tahini sauce. Serve immediately.
• Notes:.
• The original recipe suggested deep frying the cauliflower but I recommend reducing the oil to make this lower in fat. Alternatively, the cauliflower could be baked in the oven.
• The tahini sauce (step 1) can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept in an airtight container in the fridge.

FRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• *** TO PREPARE THE CAULIFLOWER ***.
• Place a large pot with 8 cups water and the salt over high heat. Cover and bring to a rolling boil. Meanwhile, remove all the leaves from around the stem of the cauliflower. Cut the florets off the central stem into 2- 3-inch pieces, keeping them consistent in size.
• Place the florets in the boiling water. Return the water to a rolling boil and cook uncovered, stirring a couple of times, for 5 minutes. Drain, then evenly spread the florets over a flat tray and cool for 30 minutes uncovered. The steamed florets must cool prior to frying or they will fall apart.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat to 375°, using a candy/fry thermometer for accuracy. The oil should be about 1 1/2" deep. Fry 4 to 5 florets at a time until golden brown and the edges are crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined dish. Make sure the temperature of the oil remains at 375° so that the florets fry evenly. Fry the remaining pieces of cauliflower. If you prefer, you can serve the cauliflower steamed.
• *** TO PREPARE THE TAHINI SAUCE ***.
• In a small bowl, mash the garlic and salt to a pulp using a pestle. Add the tahini, lemon juice and water. Whisk until smooth and creamy; the consistency will be like pancake batter.
• Use a spoon to mix in the parsley. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Tahini sauce may thicken once refrigerated. Thin it with lemon juice or water.
• TO SERVE *** Place the tahini sauce in a small bowl in the center of the platter. Arrange the warm or room-temperature cauliflower around the tahini.