Tahini Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Name: Tahini Roasted Whole Cauliflower
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 tsp paprika powder; 1/2 tsp black pepper powder; 1 tsp cumin powder; 1 tsp dried herbs; 1/2 tsp turmeric powder; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1 tsp salt; 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 tbsp tomato paste; 3 tbsp cup tahini; 1 tsp crushed black pepper; 1/4 cup fresh orange juice; 1 large cauliflower head (1.2kg); 3 onions (quartered); Olive oil; Parsley; Sesame seeds; Pine nuts; Couscous

This recipe is a quick and easy meal to feed a family or crowd. It is a vegetarian main course that is wholesome, healthy and delicious which can be served in under 45 minutes.

If you need a simple weeknight meal then this is the recipe for you. It feeds a crowd and is perfect for Ramadan but you can honestly make it any any time of the year. The simplicity also comes from the minimal use of equipment that means less wash up and who is happy about that? This recipe is vegetarian and honestly you don’t miss the meat as the whole cauliflower here is wholesome but also very filling.

This recipe is thanks to Diamond Baking Paper and I must say the baking paper really helps minimize the wash up as well. If you don’t have baking paper you can use aluminum foil to line the baking tray – it is a must as this helps the onions/cauliflower not stick to the tray during the roasting process. I would suggest doubling the sauce depending on the size of the cauliflower as I like to have extra for dipping once the cauliflower is roasted.

What is Tahini roasted cauliflower?

It is exactly what it sounds like, we get a whole cauliflower, make a tahini based marination/sauce which is poured over the cauliflower and roasted in the oven until the sauce is charred and the cauliflower is cooked through. This is a fantastic veggie packed meal that is delicious, packed with flavor and is very simple to make – not to mention has a minimum wash up!

What ingredients do you need to make this Tahini roasted cauliflower?

To make the sauce we need paprika, black pepper, cumin, dried herbs, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, garlic, tomato paste, tahini, crushed black pepper and oranger juice. We will need a whole head of cauliflower and quartered onions. I have served this with couscous, pine nuts, olive oil, parsley and sesame seeds but this is optional.

What equipment do you need to make this Tahini roasted cauliflower?

To make this recipe we need to make a sauce, we need a mixing bowl and rubber spatula. I have roasted the cauliflower in a baking tray lined with baking paper. We need a knife to remove the cauliflower stalk. The sauce it poured over the cauliflower, you can either brush the sauce into the cauliflower or use your hands.

How to make this Tahini Roasted cauliflower?

Preheat the oven to 180 deg C. Line a baking tray with baking paper and add the quartered onions, set aside. In a small bowl add the paprika, black pepper, cumin, dried herbs, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, garlic, tomato paste, tahini, crushed black pepper and oranger juice, mix until smooth. Prep the cauliflower by flipping it upside down and the stalk should be facing upwards. Using a knife make cuts around the stalk and remove it out, you can save the stalk to make a soup or stock. Flip the cauliflower once more and place it on the lined baking tray on top of the onions. Pour over the sauce and brush it generously into the nooks and crannies of the cauliflower. Roast the cauliflower at 180 deg C for 35-38 mins until cooked through. I prefer a little crunch in the cauliflower so I cook it for 30-35 mins. The cooking time for the cauliflower will vary depending on the size of the cauliflower, hence you want to poke a knife into the cauliflower to check its doneness.

Serving & storing this Tahini roasted cauliflower?

Serve it hot with couscous, olive oil, parsley, sesame seeds and pine nuts. You could also serve it with quinoa or garlic bread. If you want you could also serve it with a simple onion, tomato and cucumber salad. I have made this before and served with crumbled feta as well. Once it is done you can store the leftovers in a container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When ready to eat you can microwave it for 1 minute before serving.

Looking for more vegetarian recipes?

Now that we have covered how to make this Tahini roasted whole cauliflower, you can have a look at the video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more baking recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.