This delicious and crispy roasted cauliflower salad is perfect for lunch or dinner. It’s packed with tomatoes, feta cheese, pine nuts, and bright Mediterranean flavors! I am sure you will enjoy it!
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Roasted Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad bursts with bright flavors, featuring juicy tomatoes, salty feta cheese, and toasted pine nuts. This recipe showcases the remarkable taste of cauliflower while incorporating a medley of intricate flavors. Cauliflower holds a special place in my heart—a vegetable I’ve cherished since childhood. Its easy preparation and mild, sweet, and nutty essence has been a beloved ingredient in my family’s Middle Eastern kitchen. We often savored it fried, adorned with lemon juice and sumac, alongside other delectable fried delights like eggplant and potatoes. However, as I’ve grown and embraced a healthier lifestyle, my preference has shifted toward roasted cauliflower.
This cooking method maintains its delightful flavors while using significantly less oil and enhancing its nutty profile. Roasting also grants me the creative freedom to experiment with various seasonings and herbs, crafting exciting new flavor combinations. Roasted Mediterranean cauliflower has become my signature dish, a healthier twist on traditional Middle Eastern cuisine I adore sharing with friends and family.
Key Ingredients for This Cauliflower Salad
- Cauliflower: Cauliflower is the star of this dish, known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor. When roasted, cauliflower takes on a delightful nuttiness and a satisfying crunch.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These vibrant red tomatoes add a burst of juicy sweetness to the salad, balancing the earthy flavors of cauliflower.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese contributes a creamy and salty element, enhancing the overall taste and texture of the salad.
- Aleppo Pepper or Smoked Paprika: A pinch of Aleppo pepper or smoked paprika provides a subtle smokiness and gentle heat, elevating the flavor profile.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used for roasting the cauliflower to perfection and creating a luscious dressing that ties everything together.
- Minced Garlic: Garlic infuses the cauliflower with its aromatic essence as it roasts, adding depth to the dish.
- Pine Nuts: Toasted pine nuts lend a delightful crunch and a rich, nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Fresh Dill (or Mint or Parsley): Fresh herbs like dill, mint, or parsley bring freshness and herbaceous notes to the salad.
What to Pair with Your Roasted Cauliflower Salad
This Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower Salad is a versatile dish that complements various main courses effortlessly. Its bright, tangy flavors and crunchy textures make it an ideal side dish to accompany pan-seared rosemary and garlic lamb chops, infusing your meal with a burst of Mediterranean freshness. This salad elevates your poultry dishes if you opt for chicken, succulent baked chicken breast, or flavorful oven-baked Mediterranean chicken drumsticks. Seafood lovers can enjoy the delightful contrast by serving it alongside Chilean sea bass, creating a balanced and healthful dinner.
For those craving a taste of the grill, pair it with grilled kofta to experience the perfect harmony between the roasted cauliflower and savory kofta. If you desire a heartier meal, simply incorporate grains like rice or quinoa into the salad, transforming it into a wholesome main course. Don’t forget to drizzle my signature tahini dressing to enhance the Mediterranean flavors and create a truly satisfying culinary experience.
More Delicious Salads To Try
While this Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower Salad is a delightful choice, there’s a vast array of vibrant salads just waiting for you to explore:
Preparation
Once the cauliflowers are roasted, bring them to room temperature.
Toss the cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, half of the fresh dill, and half of the pine nuts in a medium-sized bowl.
In a small mason jar, add all the ingredients for the tahini sauce and shake well until well combined.
Arrange the salad on a serving platter, and sprinkle it with the rest of the herbs and toasted pine nuts. Serve next to tahini sauce! Enjoy!
Ingredients:
Adjust Servings
1 medium head cauliflower (cut into florets about 2 lb) | |
3 tablespoons of olive oil | |
1 tablespoon minced garlic | |
1/4 teaspoon of each, salt, black pepper and smoked paprika | |
2 tablespoons of fresh dill ( mint or parsley works too) | |
¼ cup toasted pine nuts | |
2 0z feta cheese |
For the tahini dressing
1/4 cup lemon juice | |
3/4 cup olive oil | |
1/4 cup tahini | |
1 clove garlic minced | |
1 tablespoon chopped fresh herb ( dill, parsley, or mint) | |
1/4 cup water | |
salt and black pepper to taste |
Preparation
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
How to choose a good cauliflower:
How to cut cauliflower into perfect florets:
How to store raw cauliflower:
Rana’s Notes!
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.
I would love to hear your experience!
Have you made this fresh, delicious roasted cauliflower salad perfect for lunch or dinner? I love to hear from you. Please feel free to comment below.