How to make Roasted Cauliflower, veggie Salad with Green Curry Tahini Dressing

Roasted Cauliflower, veggie Salad with Green Curry Tahini Dressing is a popular culinary preparation that involves baking cauliflower florets in the oven after they’ve been tossed with seasonings and oil. The natural sugars in cauliflower caramelize when exposed to the high heat of roasting, resulting in a dish that has a nutty flavor and a texture that’s both tender and crispy. As a vegetable, cauliflower is widely appreciated not only for its taste when cooked but also for its nutritional benefits, being low in calories while high in vitamins C, K, and B6, as well as fiber.

The inclusion of roasted cauliflower in a veggie salad can add a savory depth and a satisfying bite that contrasts with raw, crisp ingredients, enriching the salad’s overall textural variety and flavor profile. In crafting such a salad, one might choose a variety of vegetables for color, texture, and nutritional diversity, like mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.

For the Green Curry Tahini Dressing, one would typically blend tahini—a paste made from sesame seeds—with green curry paste and additional elements such as lemon juice, garlic, and possibly sweeteners or other spices, to create a rich, creamy, and aromatic dressing. The earthiness of the tahini and the piquancy of the green curry fuse to form a dressing that is bold and vibrant, both in taste and color. This type of dressing pairs well with the roasted flavors in the cauliflower and provides a pleasant creamy contrast to the crispness of the salad greens.

Combining these components—a freshly assembled selection of vegetables and the flavorful enrichment of the roasted cauliflower—dressed in the distinctive Green Curry Tahini, results in a dish that is likely to be nutritious, balanced, and brimming with an array of complementary flavors.

Roasted Cauliflower, veggie Salad with Green Curry Tahini Dressing

Roasted Cauliflower, veggie Salad with Green Curry Tahini Dressing

Roasted cauliflower is a popular dish that involves baking cauliflower florets in the oven after tossing them in oil, salt, and various seasonings. Through the roasting process, the cauliflower develops a caramelized texture and sweeter, nuttier flavor, making it an appealing way to prepare this cruciferous vegetable both for its taste and health benefits.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine French

Servings 5 serving

Calories 258 kcal

Equipment

• 1 oven
• 1 medium mixing bowl

Ingredients

  

CAULIFLOWER

• 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
• 1 1/2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 1/2 tbsp melted coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt

GREEN CURRY TAHINI DRESSING

• 4 1/2 tbsp green curry paste
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 Pinch of Kocher salt
• 1 Pinch freshly ground black pepper
• Water to thin

SALAD

• 6 cups mixed greens spinach, and kale or greens of choice
• 1 cup red grapes halved
• 1 cup cooked lentils rinsed and drained
• Fresh cilantro optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking dish with a parchment paper.
• Place the cauliflower floret in a medium mixing bowl. Add curry powder,oil and salt to the bowl and toss well. Place the coated cauliflower floret in the prepared baking dish and bake until tender and golden brown for about 25 minutes.
• While the cauliflower is cooking, combine the ingredients for the dressing, maple syrup, green curry paste, tahini, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together in a medium mixing bowl and whisk well until mixed and smooth. Thin with water as needed, to achieve a pourable texture.
• Taste and make adjustment to suit your taste.
• To assemble, Place the lettuce in a serving plate, top with grapes, lentils, and roasted cauliflower and serve along side with the dressing. Garnish with cilantro if you want.
• 6, Serve immediately and keep any leftover in the fridge, use within 5 days. Store the leftover dressing in an air tight container and keep in the fridge and use within a week

Keyword cauliflower, curry powder

Cooking Tips about Roasted Cauliflower, veggie Salad with Green Curry Tahini Dressing

1. Roasting Cauliflower:
   • Preheat your oven to about 425°F (220°C) for optimal caramelization.
   • Cut the cauliflower into even-sized florets to ensure uniform cooking.
   • Toss the cauliflower in olive oil, salt, and your choice of spices such as turmeric, cumin, or curry powder to enhance its flavor.
   • Spread the cauliflower florets out on a baking sheet without overcrowding to allow them to roast rather than steam.
   • Roast until the edges are golden and the florets are tender, checking occasionally to prevent burning.
2. Prepping the Salad Veggies:
   • Use a variety of colorful vegetables like mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber to make the salad visually appealing and texturally diverse.
   • Consider blanching some vegetables, such as green beans or carrots, for a tender-crisp texture which can add another layer to your salad.
   • Slice the vegetables consistently for an even distribution of flavors in every bite.
3. Making Green Curry Tahini Dressing:
   • Blend tahini with green curry paste for a base. Adjust the amount of curry paste depending on how spicy you prefer your dressing.
   • Add acidity with lemon juice or lime juice which will also help balance the creaminess of the tahini.
   • Include garlic and possibly ginger for added depth and zest.
   • For a smoother consistency and to help combine the ingredients, add a bit of water or olive oil while blending.
   • Taste and adjust seasoning as desired, potentially adding salt, pepper, or a sweetener like maple syrup to round out the flavors.

Serving suggestions about Roasted Cauliflower, veggie Salad with Green Curry Tahini Dressing

• Presentation: Serve on a large platter to showcase the variety of colors and textures within the salad. Arrange the roasted cauliflower attractively amongst the greens and other vegetables for visual appeal.
• Texture: To add more texture and a nutty taste, sprinkle toasted nuts such as almonds, cashews, or pepitas over the salad just before serving.
• Herbs: Brighten up the dish with a generous scattering of fresh herbs. Cilantro, basil, or mint can complement the flavors in the green curry tahini dressing particularly well.
• Protein: For a more protein-rich meal, consider adding chickpeas, grilled tofu, or tempeh. These elements would align well with the dish’s existing flavors and add satisfying substance.
• Grains: Serve the salad over a bed of quinoa or brown rice for a heartier dish that could stand as a full meal on its own.
• Temperature: You might serve the roasted cauliflower warm or at room temperature mixed into the cold salad to provide a delightful contrast.
• Dressing: Drizzle the green curry tahini dressing over the salad right before serving to ensure every element is freshly coated. Offering extra dressing on the side allows guests to adjust to their taste.
• Citrus: A squeeze of lemon or lime can add a refreshing zest to the dish, cutting through the creaminess of the dressing.
• Bread: Pair with pita bread or any crusty bread of choice to absorb the delicious dressing and round out the meal.

Top 5 FAQs about Roasted Cauliflower, veggie Salad with Green Curry Tahini Dressing

• What health benefits does Roasted Cauliflower Veggie Salad offer? Roasted cauliflower is not only delicious; it’s also packed with nutrients such as fiber, vitamins C, K, and B6, and antioxidants. Additionally, the variety of vegetables in the salad contributes various vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making the dish beneficial for digestion, immune function, and overall health.
• Can this salad be made with different types of vegetables? Absolutely, the salad is quite versatile and can include a mix of any seasonal or preferred raw or blanched vegetables. It’s about texture and color, so feel free to experiment with bell peppers, radishes, spinach, or any other favorites.
• How do you prepare the Green Curry Tahini Dressing? The dressing is prepared by blending tahini with green curry paste, and then adding acidity with lemon or lime juice. Additional flavor comes from including garlic and possibly ginger. For a smoother consistency, a little water or olive oil can be added while blending. Adjust seasoning according to taste, potentially with salt, pepper, or a sweetener like maple syrup.
• Is the Roasted Cauliflower Veggie Salad with Green Curry Tahini Dressing suitable for special diets? Yes, the dish is inherently plant-based and gluten-free, making it suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and those avoiding gluten. However, make sure the curry paste and tahini are gluten-free if this is a concern, as some products may contain additives.
• Can this dish be prepared in advance? You can roast the cauliflower and prepare the veggies ahead of time. However, it’s best to dress the salad just before serving to maintain the crunch and freshness of the veggies. The dressing can also be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

In conclusion, the Roasted Cauliflower Veggie Salad with Green Curry Tahini Dressing is a dish that exemplifies the perfect harmony of warmth and zest. The salad brings together the rustic charm of roasted cauliflower, with its golden edges and tender bite, amidst a colorful array of fresh vegetables that provide a satisfying crunch and an explosion of nutrients. Draping this medley in a bold and creamy Green Curry Tahini Dressing not only blankets the dish in rich flavor but also introduces an exotic twist to the palate, balancing the nuttiness of tahini with the distinct spice profiles of green curry.