Roasted Cauliflower Salad is perfect as a side dish or main and will steal the show! Crispy roasted cauliflower is drizzled with creamy tahini yogurt dressing, then topped with fresh herbs, pomegranate seeds and pomegranate molasses.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Ingredients
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER
1large head cauliflower, cut into florets
2tbspolive oil
1tspground cumin
½tspsmoked paprika
1tspsweet paprika
½tspground turmeric
½tspsea salt flakes
¼tspfreshly cracked black pepper
TAHINI YOGHURT DRESSING
185gnatural yoghurt
3tbsptahini
1tbspfresh lemon juice
1tbspolive oil
½tspfreshly minced garlic
½tspsea salt flakes
HOMEMADE POMEGRANATE MOLASSES
250mlpomegranate juice
110gwhite sugar
1tbspfresh lemon juice
TO SERVE
2tbsppomegranate molasses (homemade instructions above, or storebought)
7gfresh parsley leaves
5gfresh mint leaves
2tbsptoasted pine nuts or almonds (optional, see note 1)
1tbspolive oil, for drizzling (optional)
45gpomegranate seeds
Instructions
Roast the cauliflower – Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) (200°C/400°F fan-forced). Line a baking tray with baking (parchment) paper.
In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, turmeric, salt and pepper. Ensure the florets are evenly coated.
Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on the prepared tray. Roast for 25–30 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Make the tahini yoghurt dressing – In a small bowl, whisk together the yoghurt, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and salt until smooth and creamy.
Make the pomegranate molasses (optional) – If you don’t have store-bought pomegranate molasses, make your own by combining the pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Simmer gently over low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces to about 125 ml (½ cup) and reaches a syrupy consistency.
Allow to cool completely before using. Store any leftover molasses in a sterilised jar in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Assemble the salad – Spread the tahini yoghurt on a serving platter. Scatter the roasted cauliflower on top, then drizzle with the pomegranate molasses. Sprinkle over the parsley and mint. Add the toasted pine nuts or almonds, if using.
Serve – Sprinkle with the olive oil (if using) and pomegranate seeds, then serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Note 1 – How to toast pine nuts or almonds:
Microwave – Spread the nuts in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the nuts are golden and fragrant. My pine nuts took 3 minutes. Watch them carefully as they can burn quickly! Note they will also get more crispy and deepen in colour as they cool.
Oven – Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) (all oven types). Arrange the nuts in a single layer on a baking tray. Toast for 5–8 minutes, or until golden and fragrant. Stir once halfway through cooking time. Watch them carefully as nuts can burn quickly.
Make Ahead
Cauliflower – Roast the cauliflower up to 2 days in advance. Allow it to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in a 220°C (425°F) (200°C/400°F fan-forced) oven for 10–12 minutes to heat through before assembling the salad.Tahini yoghurt dressing – Prepare the dressing up to 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and stir well before using. Add a splash of water to loosen if needed.Pomegranate molasses – If making homemade pomegranate molasses, you can prepare it up to 6 months in advance. Store it in a sterilised jar in the fridge and use it directly from the jar when needed.
Leftovers
Store the assembled salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Note that the cauliflower may soften slightly, but the flavours will still be delicious. Not suitable to freeze.
Nutrition Facts
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
527
% Daily Value*
Fat
34
g
52
%
Saturated Fat
5
g
31
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
8
g
Monounsaturated Fat
19
g
Cholesterol
6
mg
2
%
Sodium
670
mg
29
%
Potassium
843
mg
24
%
Carbohydrates
54
g
18
%
Fiber
5
g
21
%
Sugar
43
g
48
%
Protein
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
641
IU
13
%
Vitamin C
78
mg
95
%
Calcium
134
mg
13
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.