Name: Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients: ¾ cup Greek yogurt: The base of our marinade, Greek yogurt, is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, its creamy texture helps the marinade cling beautifully to the cauliflower florets, ensuring every nook and cranny is coated in flavor. Secondly, the mild acidity of yogurt tenderizes the cauliflower during marination, resulting in a more succulent and less fibrous texture after roasting. Finally, Greek yogurt adds a subtle tang that complements the warmth of the spices perfectly. For a vegan variation, you can easily substitute with a plant-based yogurt alternative like coconut yogurt or cashew yogurt, ensuring it’s unsweetened and thick in consistency.; 4 tsp smoked paprika: Smoked paprika is the secret ingredient that imparts that characteristic smoky depth reminiscent of traditional tandoor cooking. It brings a rich, complex flavor that is both sweet and subtly smoky, adding a layer of intrigue to the spice blend. If you only have regular paprika on hand, you can use that, but the smoked variety truly elevates the dish. For those who love a bit of heat, you can also use a combination of smoked paprika and a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper.; 3 tsp ground coriander: Ground coriander seeds offer a warm, citrusy, and slightly nutty flavor that is a cornerstone of many Indian spice blends. It adds a fragrant depth to the marinade and pairs beautifully with the other spices. Ensure your ground coriander is relatively fresh for the best aroma and flavor.; ½ tsp garam masala: Garam masala is a quintessential Indian spice blend, and while variations abound, it typically includes warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. It provides a complex, fragrant warmth that ties all the other spices together and adds a characteristic Indian touch to the dish. You can find pre-made garam masala in most grocery stores, or you can make your own blend for a truly authentic flavor.; 1 tsp salt: Salt is essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavors of all the other ingredients. It also plays a role in the marinating process, helping to draw out moisture from the cauliflower and allowing the marinade to penetrate deeper. Adjust the amount of salt to your taste preference. Kosher salt or sea salt are both excellent choices.; 1 tsp turmeric: Turmeric not only adds a vibrant golden hue to the cauliflower but also provides a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor. It’s also renowned for its health benefits, adding an extra nutritional boost to this already healthy dish. Use ground turmeric powder for convenience.; 1 tsp cumin: Ground cumin seeds offer a warm, earthy, and slightly smoky flavor that is another essential element in Indian cooking. It adds depth and complexity to the spice blend and complements the other spices beautifully. Ensure your ground cumin is fresh for the best flavor.; 2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic brings a pungent, savory, and slightly sweet flavor that is fundamental to the marinade’s aromatic profile. Freshly minced garlic is always preferred for its vibrant flavor. You can use a garlic press or finely chop the garlic cloves.; 1 tsp minced ginger: Fresh ginger adds a zesty, warm, and slightly spicy kick to the marinade. It complements the other spices and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the yogurt and paprika. Peel and finely mince fresh ginger root for the best flavor. You can also use a ginger paste if preferred.; ½ tbsp lime juice: Lime juice provides a crucial element of acidity that brightens the flavors of the marinade and balances the richness of the spices. It also helps to tenderize the cauliflower and adds a refreshing tang. Freshly squeezed lime juice is always recommended for the best flavor.; ½ cup Greek yogurt: We use Greek yogurt again in the dressing, but this time, it serves a different purpose. Here, it forms the creamy base of the dressing, providing a cooling and tangy counterpoint to the spiced cauliflower. Again, you can use a plant-based yogurt alternative for a vegan option.; 1 clove garlic, minced: A touch of minced garlic in the dressing adds a subtle savory note that complements the spices in the cauliflower and marinade.; ½ tbsp fresh mint, chopped: Fresh mint is the star of the dressing, bringing a bright, herbaceous, and refreshing flavor that cuts through the richness of the spices and yogurt. Chop the mint leaves finely for the best distribution of flavor.; ½ tsp cumin: A small amount of cumin in the dressing echoes the cumin in the marinade, creating a harmonious flavor profile and adding a subtle earthy note.; ¼ tsp salt: Salt seasons the dressing and enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients. Adjust to your taste preference.; ½ tbsp lime juice: Lime juice in the dressing adds another layer of acidity and brightness, further enhancing the refreshing quality of the dressing and balancing the richness of the cauliflower.; 1 large cauliflower, cut into florets: The star of the show! Choose a firm, heavy cauliflower head without any brown spots. Cut it into bite-sized florets, ensuring they are roughly uniform in size for even cooking. Washing the florets before use is recommended.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade:

¾ cup Greek yogurt: The base of our marinade, Greek yogurt, is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, its creamy texture helps the marinade cling beautifully to the cauliflower florets, ensuring every nook and cranny is coated in flavor. Secondly, the mild acidity of yogurt tenderizes the cauliflower during marination, resulting in a more succulent and less fibrous texture after roasting. Finally, Greek yogurt adds a subtle tang that complements the warmth of the spices perfectly. For a vegan variation, you can easily substitute with a plant-based yogurt alternative like coconut yogurt or cashew yogurt, ensuring it’s unsweetened and thick in consistency.

4 tsp smoked paprika: Smoked paprika is the secret ingredient that imparts that characteristic smoky depth reminiscent of traditional tandoor cooking. It brings a rich, complex flavor that is both sweet and subtly smoky, adding a layer of intrigue to the spice blend. If you only have regular paprika on hand, you can use that, but the smoked variety truly elevates the dish. For those who love a bit of heat, you can also use a combination of smoked paprika and a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper.

3 tsp ground coriander: Ground coriander seeds offer a warm, citrusy, and slightly nutty flavor that is a cornerstone of many Indian spice blends. It adds a fragrant depth to the marinade and pairs beautifully with the other spices. Ensure your ground coriander is relatively fresh for the best aroma and flavor.

½ tsp garam masala: Garam masala is a quintessential Indian spice blend, and while variations abound, it typically includes warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. It provides a complex, fragrant warmth that ties all the other spices together and adds a characteristic Indian touch to the dish. You can find pre-made garam masala in most grocery stores, or you can make your own blend for a truly authentic flavor.

1 tsp salt: Salt is essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavors of all the other ingredients. It also plays a role in the marinating process, helping to draw out moisture from the cauliflower and allowing the marinade to penetrate deeper. Adjust the amount of salt to your taste preference. Kosher salt or sea salt are both excellent choices.

1 tsp turmeric: Turmeric not only adds a vibrant golden hue to the cauliflower but also provides a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor. It’s also renowned for its health benefits, adding an extra nutritional boost to this already healthy dish. Use ground turmeric powder for convenience.

1 tsp cumin: Ground cumin seeds offer a warm, earthy, and slightly smoky flavor that is another essential element in Indian cooking. It adds depth and complexity to the spice blend and complements the other spices beautifully. Ensure your ground cumin is fresh for the best flavor.

2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic brings a pungent, savory, and slightly sweet flavor that is fundamental to the marinade’s aromatic profile. Freshly minced garlic is always preferred for its vibrant flavor. You can use a garlic press or finely chop the garlic cloves.

1 tsp minced ginger: Fresh ginger adds a zesty, warm, and slightly spicy kick to the marinade. It complements the other spices and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the yogurt and paprika. Peel and finely mince fresh ginger root for the best flavor. You can also use a ginger paste if preferred.

½ tbsp lime juice: Lime juice provides a crucial element of acidity that brightens the flavors of the marinade and balances the richness of the spices. It also helps to tenderize the cauliflower and adds a refreshing tang. Freshly squeezed lime juice is always recommended for the best flavor.

For The Cauliflower & Dressing:

½ cup Greek yogurt: We use Greek yogurt again in the dressing, but this time, it serves a different purpose. Here, it forms the creamy base of the dressing, providing a cooling and tangy counterpoint to the spiced cauliflower. Again, you can use a plant-based yogurt alternative for a vegan option.

1 clove garlic, minced: A touch of minced garlic in the dressing adds a subtle savory note that complements the spices in the cauliflower and marinade.

½ tbsp fresh mint, chopped: Fresh mint is the star of the dressing, bringing a bright, herbaceous, and refreshing flavor that cuts through the richness of the spices and yogurt. Chop the mint leaves finely for the best distribution of flavor.

½ tsp cumin: A small amount of cumin in the dressing echoes the cumin in the marinade, creating a harmonious flavor profile and adding a subtle earthy note.

¼ tsp salt: Salt seasons the dressing and enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients. Adjust to your taste preference.

½ tbsp lime juice: Lime juice in the dressing adds another layer of acidity and brightness, further enhancing the refreshing quality of the dressing and balancing the richness of the cauliflower.

1 large cauliflower, cut into florets: The star of the show! Choose a firm, heavy cauliflower head without any brown spots. Cut it into bite-sized florets, ensuring they are roughly uniform in size for even cooking. Washing the florets before use is recommended.

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Instructions

To Make In The Oven:

Prepare the Marinade: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: ¾ cup Greek yogurt, 4 tsp smoked paprika, 3 tsp ground coriander, ½ tsp garam masala, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp cumin, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp minced ginger, and ½ tbsp lime juice. Whisk all the ingredients together until you have a smooth and well-combined marinade. Take a moment to appreciate the fragrant aroma of the spices mingling together!

Marinate the Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl of marinade. Gently toss the florets with your hands or a spatula, ensuring that each floret is thoroughly coated in the marinade. This is where the magic happens! The marinade will penetrate the cauliflower, infusing it with flavor and tenderizing it.

Refrigerate to Marinate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator to marinate. Allow the cauliflower to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight for the most intense flavor. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful and tender the cauliflower will become. If you’re short on time, even 30 minutes of marinating will make a noticeable difference.

Preheat the Oven: When you’re ready to roast the cauliflower, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C. This moderate temperature is ideal for roasting the cauliflower until it’s tender and slightly golden without burning.

Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with baking paper or parchment paper. This will prevent the cauliflower from sticking to the baking sheet and make cleanup much easier. Set the prepared baking sheet aside.

Arrange Cauliflower on Baking Sheet: Remove the marinated cauliflower from the refrigerator. Arrange the florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring that the florets are not touching each other. This allows for even roasting and prevents steaming, which can result in soggy cauliflower. If necessary, use two baking sheets to avoid overcrowding.

Roast in the Oven: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and lightly golden brown around the edges. The roasting time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of the cauliflower florets. Check for doneness by piercing a floret with a fork – it should be easily pierced but still have a slight bite.

Prepare the Dressing While Cauliflower Roasts: While the cauliflower is roasting, prepare the dressing. In a small mixing bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients: ½ cup Greek yogurt, 1 clove minced garlic, ½ tbsp fresh mint (chopped), ½ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp salt, and ½ tbsp lime juice. Whisk all the ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Set the dressing aside.

Serve Immediately: Once the cauliflower is tender and roasted to your liking, remove it from the oven. Serve the Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower immediately while it’s still warm and flavorful. Serve the prepared yogurt dressing on the side for dipping or drizzling over the cauliflower. Garnish with extra fresh mint if desired.

For The Air Fryer:

Follow Steps 1-3 Above: Begin by following steps 1-3 of the oven instructions to prepare the marinade, marinate the cauliflower florets, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight). The marinating process is the same regardless of whether you are oven roasting or air frying.

Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Take out your air fryer. You likely won’t need to preheat it for this recipe, but consult your air fryer’s manual.

Air Fry in Batches (If Necessary): Add the marinated cauliflower florets to your air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s crucial not to overcrowd the basket, as this will hinder proper air circulation and result in steamed rather than roasted cauliflower. You may need to air fry the cauliflower in multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket and the amount of cauliflower.

Spray with Olive Oil Cooking Spray: Lightly spray the cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray. This will help them crisp up nicely and achieve a golden brown color. Alternatively, you can lightly toss the florets with a teaspoon of olive oil before air frying.

Air Fry: Air fry at 360 degrees F (or 180 degrees C) for 14-19 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket or toss the cauliflower florets at around the 8-10 minute mark to ensure even cooking and browning. Check for doneness starting at 15 minutes. The cauliflower is ready when it is tender and lightly golden brown, with slightly crispy edges. Air fryer cooking times can vary slightly depending on the specific model and the size of the florets.

Prepare Dressing (If Not Already Done): If you haven’t already prepared the yogurt dressing while the cauliflower was air frying, do so now by following step 8 of the oven instructions.

Serve Immediately: Once the air-fried cauliflower is cooked through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer basket and serve immediately while it’s hot and at its best. Serve with the prepared yogurt dressing on the side.

Nutrition

Serving Size: One Normal Portion
Calories: 95 kcal