Photos by Lindsey Johnson
A few months ago, Kiersten and I were discussing all of the various shapes and forms that cauliflower takes on -- usually replacing some sort of meat-stuff. Cauliflower burgers, wings, even steaks! And I remember joking, "I should totally take a whole cauliflower and make a cauliflower 'Cornish game hen!'" And Kiersten said something like, "Actually, you really SHOULD do that!" And then I seriously toyed with the idea for awhile, but that was it. Whole roasted cauliflower was put on the back burner. So to speak.
Well, today, it has happened. Finally. Today, we have a whole roasted cauliflower. My life is complete.
This Tandoori Cauliflower with Indian-Spiced Quinoa was inspired by the popular Indian dish Tandoori chicken, specifically the version found on the fantastic food blog Simply Recipes.
In Tandoori chicken's traditional form, the meat is marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices and cooked in a clay oven called a "tandoor." It's often served with an aromatic spiced rice and/or a yogurt-based dipping sauce.
Alas, I have no clay oven at my disposal, so rubbing the head of cauliflower with a the spicy yogurt marinade and roasting it in my plain old oven had to do. For the side, I chose quinoa instead of rice. I love the idea of using protein-rich quinoa in this recipe to make it a full, satisfying meal. And while yeah, the cauliflower is fun, healthy, delicious, and even slightly whimsical, the Indian-spiced quinoa is what really makes this one for me. I adore it.
One thing my carnivorous husband and I both loved about the whole-roasted Tandoori cauliflower was that when it's baked whole and then cut into wedges for serving, it stays firm -- yet still tender. No mushy cauliflower here.
The list of ingredients is long, I know -- but please don't be intimidated! Most of the ingredients are spices you probably already have in your cupboard. And if you need to buy any, be sure to check out the bulk section at your local well-stocked grocery store. You'll no doubt save gobs of money that way.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
For the Tandoori cauliflower:
- 1 teaspoon grapeseed oil, or any cooking oil with a high smoke point
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh minced ginger
- 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Indian-spiced quinoa:
- 1 ½ cups uncooked quinoa
- 3 cups water
- 1 3-inch stick cinnamon
- 2 whole cardamom pods
- 2 whole cloves
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- Salt to taste
For the yogurt sauce:
- ½ cup leftover yogurt marinade
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Optional garnish:
- Handful of cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF. Rub the center of a baking sheet with oil (where you will set the cauliflower).
- Remove the green leaves from the cauliflower and cut off the bottom of the stem so that it has a flat base. Rinse well and dry. Set the cauliflower on the baking sheet.
- Add yogurt to a small bowl and whisk in the spices, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, and salt. Brush ½ cup of the yogurt marinade over the head of cauliflower, completely covering all except the flat bottom.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes to cool.
- Meanwhile, make the Indian-spiced quinoa. Rinse quinoa well under cool water to remove the natural soapy-tasting residue. Add to a medium saucepan along with the water, cinnamon stick, cardamom, and cloves. (Note: For easier retrieval later on, tie the cardamom and cloves into a cheesecloth pouch before adding.) Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender and fluffy. Remove from heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the spices.
- In a large saute pan, melt the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the onion, mustard seeds, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened, about 6-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and cook, stirring, for another minute. Add the quinoa and sprinkle the turmeric over the top. Stir until all of the ingredients are combined and quinoa is heated through, then season with salt to taste and remove from heat.
- To make the yogurt sauce, stir the ½ cup yogurt and 1 tablespoon lemon juice into the remaining yogurt marinade. Chill until ready to serve.
- To serve, cut the cauliflower into four or six wedges. Place a scoop of Indian-spiced quinoa on a plate and top with a wedge of cauliflower. Drizzle with yogurt sauce or serve the sauce alongside. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top, if using.
Hata Trbonja says
This sounds like a winner to me. My husband and I are going towards more veggie based diet and chicken tandoori is a huge temptation for us.
Thank you so much for the recipe. I will let you know how it work out.
Hata
http://www.chicagotofrance.blogspot.com
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
This is a genius idea! I could eat cauliflower every day. Lovely photos.
Kare says
Thanks, Jennie! 🙂
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
This is amaaaaazing! These have to be some of the best pictures yet 🙂 Indian food all the way, baby!
Kare Raye says
Lindsey takes stunning photos, doesn't she?! I think I squealed when I saw them! 🙂
Julia says
What a gorgeous meal! So healthful and full of flavor with all those warm, tasty spices! I must make this ASAP.
P.S. Rikki hit a home run with these photos, as always!
Kare Raye says
Thanks, Julia! Lindsey actually took the photos ... but definitely a home run. 😀
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love roared cauliflower, this is my dream dinner!
Emma says
Yum, yum, yum! I made My New Roots' Tandoori Roasted Cauliflower http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2012/09/whole-roasted-tandoori-cauliflower-with-mint-chutney/
for a dinner party as part of an Indian feast and it was a real show stopper!
Good shout on serving it with the cooling yogurt dip too.
Kare says
Boo - I thought my idea was so original, too! 😉 I *love* the idea of serving this with mint chutney - that sounds divine.
Polly @ Tasty Food Project says
Yum! I love the flavors of Indian spices! This looks really amazing! I like how you used cauliflower. That has become one of my favorite veggies!
Kare says
I'm totally on a cauli kick, too. Can't get enough of it! So versatile.
Courtney @ The Fig Tree says
Roasted cauliflower is my current obsession. Cannot wait to try this recipe. I adore Indian food and cannot wait to try the tandoori spice mixture. Great recipe! 🙂
Kare says
I l*so* ove Indian food too. Gosh, I am realizing it's been forever since I've been out for Indian. Need to remedy that soon!
Kare says
(Um, that's I *so* love. Not sure how I butchered that quite so badly!)
Christy@SweetandSavoring says
Adding cardamom, cloves and mustard seeds to the grocery list right now. This looks delicious. I love how many different ways there are to cook/eat cauliflower! 🙂
Kare says
It's so worth it! 🙂 Cauliflower is just amazing stuff.
Linda @ Veganosity says
Yum! I love Indian food, and cauliflower, and quinoa. This looks so good. Saffron is another great spice to use with cauliflower, roasted or cooked in coconut milk, you can't go wrong.
Kare says
You just made my mouth water!
Letty says
On the money! I've been saving a roasted cauliflower recipe baked with the yogurt--but you took it all the way--in such a great direction. Love the idea. Nice!
Kare says
There are so many ways to take the concept - I just love that. 🙂
Federica says
Tried this last night, baked the cauliflower for 45 min at 200°C, but it was still raw. Is it how it's meant to be? Love your recipes! Ciao from Italy!
Kare says
It should be tender - not mushy - but definitely not raw! You may need to up the temperature slightly and cook it for a bit longer. It can really depend on the size of the cauliflower.
Joanne says
I'm all about infusing Indian flavors into my dinner and thankfully my pantry is fully stocked with these ingredients and ready for action! Love how this requires so little prep work...just rub on the spices and GO.
Swang says
The quinoa was simply amazing. However I baked the cauliflower for 40 minutes, but it wasn't well cooked 🙁 So I had to put it in the microwave for 10 more minutes for it to get cooked throughout ( but it did end up becoming a little soggy, couldn't help it 🙁 )
But the taste was awesome!
Elise says
Thanks for the shout out Kare! I love the tandoori cauliflower idea, especially with the quinoa!
Tash says
This looks amazing! Will be trying this tonight 🙂