Tandoori Cauliflower
By Heena Kotak of Cook, Plate, Eat, Enjoy
Looking to spice up your holiday menu this season? Try this gorgeous tandoori cauliflower recipe. Packed with flavorful spices, this dish looks beautiful on the plate and is sure to be a hit at your next holiday dinner party!
Start by whisking all the marinade ingredients together. Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. Then, remove the stems and leaves from the head of the cauliflower trying your best to leave all the florets intact.
If you have an Instant Pot, this recipe becomes really easy. Place the trivet with the cauliflower on top in an Instant Pot and add one inch of water. Steam the cauliflower in the venting position for five minutes. In the absence of an Instant Pot, you can use a pressure cooker, or simply fill a microwavable bowl with water and place the whole head of cauliflower in the bowl so half of it is covered with the water. Microwave it for five minutes.
Carefully remove the cauliflower, drain the water, and place it on a large platter. Give the marinade a final stir and brush it onto the cauliflower. You can use a syringe to insert the marinade in the inside grooves of the cauliflower.
Next, we’ll need to bake the cauliflower to set the flavors. Place the marinated cauliflower on a foil-lined and oiled sheet in a 375-degree oven for 20 minutes. For a crispier bake, place under the broiler for a few minutes.
To serve, cut the cauliflower into steaks and enjoy with a side of salad greens or French fries. Alternatively, you can cut it into florets and enjoy it with pita.
Hope this delicious dish makes it onto your table this holiday season!
Tandoori Cauliflower
Ingredients:
1 whole head of Cauliflower
Oil spray
Spices for the marinade:
1 cup plain yogurt (Greek yogurt works well too)
1 tbsp ginger paste
1 tbsp garlic paste
1 tbsp red chili powder
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tbsp salt or to taste
2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves (Kasoori methi)
1 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions:
Step 1:
Mix and whisk all ingredients listed under the marinade section and set aside. Adjust spices to your liking. For more color, you can add a pinch of red food color.
Step 2:
Carefully remove stems and leaves from the cauliflower leaving its florets as intact as possible.
Step 3:
In an Instant Pot, place the trivet, add 1 inch of water and place the cauliflower on top of the trivet. Steam in venting position for 5 mins. You can brine the cauliflower with turmeric if you like for added color (I usually skip this step).
In the absence of an Instant Pot, you can use a pressure cooker or simply place the whole cauliflower halfway into a bowl of water and microwave for 5 mins.
Step 4:
Carefully remove the cauliflower from the Instant Pot, drain excess water, and place it on a large platter. Give the marinade a nice stir and brush it all over the cauliflower. You can use a syringe to insert the marinade in the inside grooves of the cauliflower by turning it over.
Step 5:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line the baking tray with foil and lightly spray with oil. Place the marinated cauliflower in the center and bake for 20 mins. For a crispier bake, place under the broiler for 3-4 mins.
Cut into steaks and enjoy with a side of salad greens, French fries or simply cut in florets and enjoy with pita.
