Best 20 Spiced Cauliflower Recipes

SPICED ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH FETA AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Slice cauliflower lengthwise into ½-inch thick slices, including the core and leaves. (Some of the first slices will crumble and fall apart. This is O.K., and will be useful when you want those crispier bits.)
• Place cauliflower (slices and crumbles) and garlic on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with fennel seed, turmeric and red-pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper.
• Roast, without disturbing, until cauliflower has turned a deep golden brown and crisped up in spots, 25 to 30 minutes. Using a spatula, flip the larger steaks and stir the smaller bits around and continue to roast until completely and evenly browned, another 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and transfer to a large serving platter. Top with feta, herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.

PAN-ROASTED SPICED CAULIFLOWER WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Heat a large sauté pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add the ghee or oil, and when it is hot, add the cauliflower. Stir until the cauliflower begins to color, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Continue stirring until the cauliflower is half-cooked, about 5 minutes, lowering the heat if necessary to keep it from browning too quickly.
• Add the cumin, mustard seeds, turmeric and makrut lime leaves, if using. When they begin to sizzle, add the ginger, garlic and chilies. Stir well and add the peas, along with a sprinkle of salt. Cover to let the peas steam until tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with the slivered scallions and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

ROASTED CURRY-SPICED SWEET POTATOES AND CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine sweet potatoes, cauliflower, black pepper, olive oil, curry powder, maple syrup, garlic, thyme, and salt together in a bowl until evenly coated; spread onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

SPICED CHICKPEAS WITH CAULIFLOWER AND ROASTED LEMON

Steps:

• Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of oven and heat to 425 degrees. Bring a small pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add lemon slices and simmer until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain, pat dry with a clean kitchen towel and cut slices into quarters.
• On a rimmed sheet pan, toss cauliflower, tomatoes and jalapeños with 1/4 cup oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Fold in lemon slices. Place pan on bottom rack of oven and roast, tossing every 10 minutes, until well-browned, about 35 to 45 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup oil, cumin seeds, tomato paste, Tabasco, ground turmeric, cumin and coriander.
• On a separate rimmed sheet pan, toss together chickpeas, potatoes, spice-oil mixture and salt to taste. Top with rosemary sprigs. Roast on top rack until potatoes are golden, 30 to 40 minutes, tossing mixture halfway through. Remove pan and toss with more salt to taste.
• While everything is roasting, make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, dill, basil, parsley, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a squeeze of lemon juice. Taste and add more salt or lemon if needed.
• To serve, toss roasted chickpeas and potatoes with cauliflower mixture. Drizzle with more oil, yogurt sauce and herbs.

SPICED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat; add mustard seeds and cover skillet. Cook until seeds stop popping, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion to the skillet; cook and stir over low heat until translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Mix garlic, ginger, turmeric, chile powder, and salt into onion mixture; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add cauliflower; cook and stir for 1 minute. Transfer cauliflower to a microwave-safe bowl and cover bowl.
• Cook cauliflower in microwave until tender, about 3 minutes. Drizzle lemon juice over cauliflower.

CURRY SPICED WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• For the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Heat the butter and olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter melts. Add the garlic and curry powder and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Make a small foil ring wide enough to hold up the base of the cauliflower a little. Put the foil ring in a large saute pan and place the cauliflower on top. Season the cauliflower with salt and pepper. Pour all but 1/4 cup of the curry butter over the cauliflower. Roast the cauliflower for 10 minutes, then baste with some of the curry butter on the bottom of the pan. Continue to roast and baste until the cauliflower is tender, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the almonds and raisins to the remaining curry butter in the saucepan and cook over medium heat until the nuts are toasted and the raisins are plump, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lime juice.
• Remove the cauliflower to a serving platter and drizzle with any remaining butter from the saute pan. Top with the nut, raisin and curry butter mixture and sprinkle with the lime zest.
• For the yogurt-tahini sauce: Whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, tahini, dill, cumin, garlic and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle the cauliflower with the yogurt-tahini sauce and garnish with the cilantro, mint and chiles.

CRISPY SPICED CAULIFLOWER STEAKS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a wire rack or paper towels, and set aside.
• Finely grind cinnamon, coriander, fennel, peppercorns, cumin and cloves in a spice grinder, spice mill or mortar and pestle.Transfer to a bowl, and stir in cayenne and 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk both flours until combined. Whisk in lime and lemon juices, then gradually whisk in enough water until the mixture is the consistency of thin pancake batter (about 1 1/3 cups). There is no gluten in either flour, so don't worry about overmixing.
• Stir in turmeric and the spice mixture. Taste, and adjust salt as needed.
• Working with 1 or 2 steaks at a time, push the cauliflower steaks into the batter, turn to coat and allow to marinate for at least 3 minutes.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium high. Add coconut oil to a depth of 1/3-inch, and heat until hot. Carefully drip a few drops of batter into the oil to test that it's sufficiently hot. The batter should immediately sizzle and expand. Slip the steaks one at a time directly from the batter into the pan. Don't overcrowd the pan - the steaks should never touch.
• Cook until golden brown on the bottom, 8 to 12 minutes, rotating the steaks around the pan after 6 to 8 minutes to ensure even browning. Use a thin metal spatula to carefully flip the steaks. Continue cooking until the second sides are golden-brown and the cores are tender when pierced with a knife, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer steaks to the prepared baking sheet, and allow to drain. Season with salt. Repeat with the remaining steaks and any remaining smaller pieces of cauliflower, adjusting the heat as needed to prevent the steaks from browning too quickly.
• Serve hot or reheat in an oven at 400 degrees until hot and crispy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a shower of chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing on top.

MOROCCAN SPICED ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
• 2. Heat oil in an heavy oven-safe skillet (such as cast-iron) over medium heat. Add garlic and onion to skillet, and sauté for about 3 minutes or until fragrant.
• 3. Stir cauliflower florets into the garlic/onion mixture. Add tomatoes, cumin, turmeric, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and mix until cauliflower is well coated.
• 4. Transfer skillet to preheated oven, and roast for 45 minutes until tender and cauliflower is beginning to turn a light golden brown.
• 5. While cauliflower is roasting, mix chopped cilantro and chopped mint together; set aside.
• 6. Remove skillet from oven. Garnish roasted cauliflower with the cilantro/mint mixture, and serve immediately.

SPICED CAULIFLOWER RICE

Steps:

• Cut the cauliflower into quarters through the stem. Trim and discard the core, then separate the head into florets. Place a third of the florets into a food processor and pulse in 2- to 3-second bursts until the cauliflower is finely chopped and has the consistency of couscous. Repeat twice, until all of the cauliflower is chopped. (One large head should yield approximately 8 cups chopped.)
• Combine the cumin, pepper, turmeric, ginger and nutmeg in a small bowl and add 1 tablespoon water. Stir well to combine and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until aromatic, 30 seconds more. Stir in the spice mixture and cook another 30 seconds.
• Add the cauliflower, peas and carrots and stir well. Add some salt to taste. Cook, stirring often, until the cauliflower is tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowls and garnish with chives.

INDIAN-SPICED EGGPLANT & CAULIFLOWER STEW

Steps:

• Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Add curry powder, garam masala and mustard seeds and toast, stirring, until the spices begin to darken, about 1 minute.
• Transfer to a small bowl.
• Add oil, onion, garlic, ginger and salt to the pot and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in eggplant, cauliflower, tomatoes, chickpeas, water and the spices.
• Bring to a simmer.
• Cover, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Top each serving with optional dollop of yogurt; serve with basmatti rice & a loaf of 7 grain bread.
• **Garam masala is a flavorful, fragrant blend of dry-roasted ground spices. It's in the spice section of most supermarkets and specialty stores.

INDIAN SPICED CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Steps:

• Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan.
• Add onion and cook over low heat until soft.
• Add garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds.
• Add curry paste cook for 30 seconds.
• Add cauliflower and stir to coat with the curry paste.
• Add stock (If the stock doesn't cover the cauliflower add more water).
• Simmer for 15 minutes.
• Cool slightly before pureeing.
• (Use a hand held blender, or you can use a food processor).
• Return to the heat and stir in the yoghurt.
• Serve drizzled with cream and with pappadums.

AFRICAN-SPICED BROCCOLI AND CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Steps:

• Steam first 2 ingredients, covered, 2 minutes. Rinse under cold water, drain well. Combine salt, ginger, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, red pepper in a small skillet, cook over medium heat 2 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring constantly. Combine spice mixture, yoghurt, and honey in a bowl, stir well. Add vegetables, toss well to coat. Stir in green onions right before serving.

BROCCOLI AND CAULIFLOWER COATED WITH SPICED CHICKPEA FLOUR

Steps:

• Mix together the besan, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garam masala, cumin, coriander and red pepper flakes, set aside.
• Heat the oil over a low flame and saute the garlic until soft but not brown.
• Add the cauliflower and broccoli and increase the heat a bit. Saute for 3-4 minutes, or until they begin to brown.
• Reduce the heat back to low and sprinkle on the reserved spice blend. Cover the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes. Don't peak! This step will release the moisture from the vegetables, you don't want to lose it.
• Sprinkle about a tablespoon of water on the vegetables and toss around a little until they look coated with the besan/spice mix. Resist the temptation to add too much water.
• Cover the pan as quickly as possible and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender but firm, 2-3 minutes. This is the point at which I add in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt or not, depending on who is home for dinner.

KARFIOLLEVES (PAPRIKA-SPICED CAULIFLOWER SOUP)

Steps:

• 1. Make the dumplings: In a bowl, stir together flour and salt; add 2 tbsp. butter, and using your fingers, rub into flour until pea-size crumbles form. Add egg, and stir until dough forms; refrigerate until ready to use. 2. Heat remaining butter in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat; add paprika and onion, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add vegetable stock, cauliflower, and carrot; season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Using a ½-tsp. measuring spoon, portion out and drop all dumpling dough into simmering soup; cook, stirring occasionally, until dumplings are cooked through, about 3 minutes. 3. To serve, ladle soup and dumplings into 4 serving bowls, and garnish with parsley.

SPICED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Soak cauliflower in about 4 cups salted water for ½ hour.
• Drain and put several half cuts on the stem side of the cauliflower.
• Steam it until tender.
• (You may microwave at high, covered, for about 8 minutes.) Heat the oil in a wide skillet on medium to high heat.
• Stir fry garlic and onions until translucent.
• Add crushed ginger, green chilies, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and salt.
• Stir until the onions are golden brown.
• Add the remaining spices (except poppy seeds and cashews).
• Keep on stirring.
• Add tomatoes and ¼ cup water to cook them.
• Blend in the yogurt gradually and keep on stirring until the oil is separated.
• Add crushed cashews and poppy seeds and ¼ cup water.
• Now add the cauliflower, head down, and coat with masala to let everything cook together for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Place the cauliflower, stump down, in a casserole dish.
• Coat with all the masala.
• (Put more cuts in the cauliflower to ensure that all sides are covered with the masala.) Before serving, bake for 15 minutes at 350°F.
• Garnish with green coriander.
• You may also decorate with cooked green peas and pan fried potato slices.

PAN-ROASTED SPICED CAULIFLOWER WITH PEAS

Steps:

• 1. Heat a large sauté pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ghee or oil, and when it is hot, add the cauliflower. Stir until the cauliflower begins to color, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Continue stirring until the cauliflower is half-cooked, about 5 minutes, lowering the heat if necessary to keep it from browning too quickly. 2. Add the cumin, mustard seeds, turmeric and kaffir lime leaves, if using. When they begin to sizzle, add the ginger, garlic and chilies. Stir well and add the peas, along with a sprinkle of salt. Cover to let the peas steam until tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with the slivered scallions and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

SPICED CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Steps:

• Bring a saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets, and cook uncovered for 4 to 6 minutes until just tender. Drain well and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in the saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the drained cauliflower, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and salt. Cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes, then pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the cauliflower is very tender, 15 or 20 minutes.
• Pour the mixture into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the cauliflower moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a clean pot. Alternately, you can use a stick blender and puree the cauliflower right in the cooking pot. Stir in the cream, and cook over medium-low heat until hot. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

INDIAN SPICED CAULIFLOWER AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Toss cauliflower and potatoes together on a large baking sheet with about 3 tbsp of vegetable oil, cumin seeds and season with salt. Roast on the top rack in your oven for about 20 minutes, turning once, or until the cauliflower begins to brown, and the potatoes are tender. While the cauliflower and potatoes are roasting, cook the onion, garlic and ginger in a large skillet with the remaining 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onions turn translucent. Add your spices: cumin, coriander, tumeric, cayenne and paprika and cook for approximately 2 minutes. Stir in water and bring to a boil. Add roast cauliflower and potatoes and cubed peppers. Cook covered for about 5 additional minutes. Turn off heat and add the sour cream, stirring gently to combine. Serve over steamed white or brown rice.

SPICED, CARMELIZED CAULIFLOWER FLORETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degree. Lightly grease baking sheet. In large bowl, toss cauliflower w/butter. In small bowl, combine spices. Toss cauliflower with spices until evely coated. Spread on lightly greased baking sheet. Roast 20 minutes. Stir 1x or 2x. Mount on serving platter and sprinkle with salt. Serve with toothpicks.

LIGHTLY SPICED CAULIFLOWER FRITTERS WITH YOGHURT-CHERMOULA DIP

Steps:

• Parboil the cauliflower florets until just softened, then drain well in a sieve.
• Put into a deep mixing bowl, and stir in the finely chopped onion, parsley, fennel seeds and black pepper. With a large knife and a fork, cut through the cauliflower to make the florets very small.
• Into the cornflour stir the ground cumin and the sea salt (you'll need less salt if using fine kitchen salt, maybe 1 teaspoon).
• Separate the egg yolks and whites. Whisk the egg yolks, then add the cornflour slowly while whisking (an electric whisk works best). Add 1 - 3 tablespoons water to thin the mixture a little, but be careful not to add too much. Stir the egg yolk mixture into the cauliflower.
• With very clean whisks, whisk the egg whites to a soft peak stage, then fold the egg whites into the cauli mixture.
• Heat a generous layer of oil in a pan until quite hot. Drop heaped tablespoons of the mixture into the oil, and lower the heat. Fry until golden brown on one side, then flip over. If not happy, flip a 2nd time. This process takes about 2 minutes per side.
• You will have to cook the fritters in batches: take out batches and leave on kitchen paper to drain, then remove to an oven dish and keep warm. You'll also need to add more oil to the pan as you work.
• Dressing: Mix the chermoula with the salt and yoghurt, and serve on the side. You could substitute chermoula with harissa, but use less, as harissa can be hot.
• Serve as a side dish with meat and another veggie.