Monday, January 16, 2012

Roast Cauliflower

Roast Cauliflower

For People Who Think They Don’t Like Cauliflower

A lot of people say they don’t like cauliflower.  In most cases, that’s because they’ve only had cauliflower after it’s been boiled to death.  Bummer — too much boiling turns this vegetable into a bland mushy mess, and the unpleasant cabbagey cooking odor can be a turn-off.  Misguided cooks may try to cover up the mess with a mystery “cheese” or “white” sauce, and then bake the whole thing into submission.  Their guests suffer collateral damage. 

So cauliflower can be a tough sell.  But roast cauliflower?  It’s like a different vegetable.  Roasting deepens and concentrates flavor.  The vegetable becomes sweeter, and reveals hidden taste dimensions that most people find irresistible.

Best of all, it’s an easy recipe that practically cooks itself.


Roast Cauliflower

Recipe: Roast Cauliflower 

As discussed in the recipe for Roast Sweet Potatoes, roasting works well with vegetables because a hot oven evaporates moisture, making veggies tender and caramelizing their natural sugars. The process is easy: Just toss cut-up veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.  You can add herbs or garlic if you want to kick up their flavor.

You can roast cauliflower (or any vegetable, for that matter) at oven temperatures ranging from 300 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. I prefer 400 – 425 for cauliflower. It takes longer to cook at lower temperatures, and at higher temperatures it has a tendency to char somewhat (which I regard as a good thing, although not always something I want).

Roast cauliflower is so good you may be tempted to eat the whole thing at one sitting. By yourself. But I usually figure that one head yields 4 to 6 side-dish sized servings. If you need more, just add another head of cauliflower. Leftovers store well in a covered container in the refrigerator for a few days.

Ingredients
  • 1 head cauliflower, washed, cored, and divided into florets
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons pure olive oil (the cheap stuff; the aroma of extra virgin olive oil dissipates during roasting, so you’re wasting money if you use that)
  • salt
  • pepper
  • optional garlic, cayenne pepper, or other herb/spice (see Notes for use and quantity discussion)
Procedure
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (or any temperature between 300 – 500; but roasting time will vary; see Notes).
  2. Wash cauliflower, remove any leaves, and cut in half through the axis (or poles).  Remove the woody core.  Cut into florets.
  3. Put cauliflower florets into a large bowl.  Add olive oil (enough to lightly coat the pieces), salt, and pepper.  Toss until the florets are coated.  (If you’re using optional garlic or herb or spice, you’d add it at this step; see Notes.)
  4. Spread pieces on large rimmed baking sheet or in a casserole baking dish.  You want the florets to be in one layer, and not touching (to promote even cooking).
  5. Roast the cauliflower until the florets are tender throughout, but not mushy.  At 400 degrees, this usually takes about 40 – 45 minutes, but I start checking at 30 minutes.  Stir pieces once or twice during roasting to promote even cooking. 
  6. If you want a bit more char on your cauliflower (at this temperature you won’t get much), run the baking pan under the broiler for a few minutes until you achieve the result you desire.
    Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve!
Roast Cauliflower

Notes
  • If you’re roasting meat, this dish (or any roast vegetable) is an ideal accompaniment, because it will cook at any temperature you’re likely to use for cooking the meat.
  • But oven temperature affects how quickly cauliflower roasts.  At 500 degrees, it could take as little as 35 minutes.  At 300 degrees, it may need a good hour and a quarter (maybe even longer).  Start testing the cauliflower at the 30-minute mark, and keep testing every 10 – 15 minutes until you determine that it’s done.
  • After oven temperature, the factor that will most affect roasting time is the size of your cauliflower florets.  Smaller ones will roast faster, large ones slower. 
  • Spreading out the cauliflower florets so they don’t touch promotes even and rapid roasting.  If you pile them into a casserole, they will roast and will still be good.  But they definitely won’t char (which you might not want anyway) and their surface texture won’t be quite as crisp.
  • You can use more or less olive oil than called for in Step 3, depending on what flavor you want.  If you want a really low-fat dish, you can get by without using any olive oil, although the cauliflower will be somewhat dry, and also less flavorful.  If you go the “no olive oil” route, spray the baking sheet with baking spray to reduce sticking.
  • Garlic goes well with roast cauliflower.  Peel and mince 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, and toss with the oil in Step 3.
  • Likewise herbs (I like dried thyme) or spices (I favor cayenne pepper, ground cumin, and/or ground coriander).  Use about 1 teaspoon (half that if you want only a hint of flavor) and toss with the oil in Step 3.
  • Or try any herb or spice that you are fond of.  If it sounds good to you, it probably will be.
    You can garnish Roast Cauliflower with a little freshly grated cheese (Parmesan is particularly nice) just before serving.
  • Sprinkling balsamic vinegar over the cauliflower just before serving is another nice variation.
  • Roasting can maximize the flavor of just about any vegetable, not just cauliflower or Sweet Potatoes.  For example, lots of people think they don’t like Brussels sprouts.  But once they try them roasted (and tossed in balsamic vinegar just before serving), they change their minds.
  • You can find cauliflower at the supermarket year-round, but its peak time is fall and winter.  So right now is the best time to buy it
Roast Cauliflower

Make a Double Batch 

Cauliflower, like other cruciferous vegetables, is a nutritional powerhouse. It contains loads of vitamins, has antioxidant properties, and contributes anti-inflammatory benefits. The website The World’s Healthiest Foods has much more information, if you’re interested.

Although I’m all in favor of good nutrition, I’m more interested in flavor.  In the taste realm, Roast Cauliflower delivers – and then some.  Its flavor is so good, you’ll probably eat more than you think.  So make a double batch.  Leftovers taste great served cold, and it reheats quite well.

It’s also good as an ingredient in other recipes – like soup.  Specifically, Curried Cauliflower Soup.  Which is the subject of a post coming later this week.

You May Also Enjoy Reading About:

Roast Sweet Potatoes
Curried Cauliflower Soup
Braised Cabbage
Tossed Spinach Salad with Parmesan
Potato Salad Basics

27 comments:

Kimberly said...

Oh ... I love roasted cauliflower! And hopefully more people will too after this great post!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kimberly, it's really good stuff, isn't it? Thanks for the compliment! And the comment.

Katherine Martinelli said...

I love, love, love roasted cauliflower (roasted broccoli is also to die for)! Yours looks delish as always. Often we have it with a bit of grated Parmesan on top. Makes for a great side.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Katherine, agree about the broccoli. And that's another vegetable that people who don't "like" it will enjoy if it's roasted. Thanks for the kind words, and for stopping by.

this is how I cook said...

You make everything look so good. But this is good. I often do it like this and it makes me feel healthy! But what is funny is sometimes I top it with a curry sauce so I can't wait to see the next posting.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi, This is How I Cook - thanks for the compliment! Roast Cauliflower is awesome, and I agree it (or cauliflower in any form) is great with curry. Thanks for commenting.

The Dinner Belle for Kimberlybelle.com said...

I was one of those people! I did not like cauliflower until I had it roasted and with a bit of spice. I love add some chili flake and then its good to eat plain or mixed into mac and cheese.

The Dinner Belle for Kimberlybelle.com

Asmita said...

I love cauliflower and often make it to accompany with a lentil and rice. This roasted one looks yummy!!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

@The Dinner Belle, mixing Roast Cauliflower with mac & cheese is a great idea! I'll have to try that. Thanks.

@Asmita, I love cauliflower in all its forms. I agree it goes well with lentils and rice (and Indian spices).

@both: thanks for your comments!

Mrs. Measurement said...

I love cauliflower! I've made roast cauliflower before and it's just as good as the deep fried version my mother used to make.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi, Mrs. Measurement, Roast Cauliflower is wonderful, isn't it? I haven't had the deep fried version for a year or two, and I agree it's great too. I'll have to try some soon. Thanks for your comment.

motherrimmy said...

National soup, oatmeal and tea month? Who knew! Since I love all three, I'm happy. You are so right, roasted cauliflower is fantastic and so is your soup!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi motherrimmy, Roast Cauliflower is wonderful. Thanks for the compliment for this recipe, and for my Curried Cauliflower Soup. I have to say some of those "national" food days/months are kind of a hoot - but they're an awful lot of fun. Thanks for your comment.

CulinarilyCourtney said...

I have recently found that roast Brussels sprouts are delicious, and I can't wait to try roasting cauliflower too!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi CulinarilyCourtney, Roast Brussels Sprouts are one of my favorites - they're a whole new vegetable when you roast them. I think you'll enjoy roasting cauliflower, too. Thanks for taking time to comment.

Kelly @Free Spirit Food said...

I love roast cauliflower! So flavorful. I just made pizza crust out of cauliflower and it was better than I could have imagined too! www.freespiritfood.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelly, I agree cauliflower has great flavor. But pizza crust? Interesting idea. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for stopping by.

Elsi said...

I make a curried cauliflower soup out of the left-over roast cauliflower. YUMMY.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Elsi, isn't Curried Cauliflower Soup the best? Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it. And thanks for your comment.

Anonymous said...

I add a touch of freshly grated nutmeg to the cauliflower with salt and pepper before roasting it. It adds a nuttiness that is subtle and makes the world of a difference!

-Jen

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jen, adding nutmeg is a terrific idea! I'll definitely give that a try next time I roast some cauliflower. Thanks for the suggestion, and the comment.

Kim Bee said...

This is my fave way to eat it. It tastes like candy when done like this. And I'm all about the candy.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kim, it does almost taste like candy. And anyone who reads your blog certainly knows you are indeed all about the candy! Thanks for your comment.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A great way of preparing cauliflower! That is one of my favorite vegetables. It is so tasty and versatile.

Cheers,

Rosa

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rosa, isn't roast cauliflower great? I love roast anything, but cauliflower - and potatoes - are my favorite veggies to roast. Thanks for your comment.

petit4chocolatier said...

I love cauliflower and usually always cook it with cheese. This is so much better! Simple, elegant, and delicious!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Judy, this is a fantastic way to cook cauliflower, IMO. You really taste the flavor of the cauliflower, but it's not so overwhelming that it turns off people who aren't that fond of the veggie. Thanks for the comment.