Nutty Caramelized Cauliflower
by Nov 11th, 2010 // Recipes, Sides
Nutty Caramelized Cauliflower
I do understand your reservations. Cooked cauliflower is often tasteless, soggy and bland. But I urge you to give this veggie just one more shot before you write it off forever.
When cooked properly, cauliflower is so sweet and nutty that I could eat an entire bowl for dinner. That’s exactly what I did tonight. My kid ate some too. (He thinks it’s white broccoli. Almost too easy!)
It makes for an excellent Thanksgiving side dish because it keeps its good looks and delicious flavor even as it cools down. You don’t have to worry about pulling it out of the oven right before you sit down to eat. I love a good veggie make-over story. Now for the recipe…
Nutty Caramelized Cauliflower Recipe
Thanksgiving Planning: Make 1 day ahead and serve at room temp
or cook Thanksgiving day and serve warm.
Prep Time: 5 mins Cooking Time: 30 to 35 mins
Ingredients:
2 large heads cauliflower (cut into florets)
olive oil
kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place cauliflower in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Spread out on a baking sheet and cook for 30 to 35 minutes flipping them half way through to get them evenly browned and caramelized. Return to bowl and toss with salt and pepper to taste. Add pine nuts and serve immediately or at room temperature. Serves 6.
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Those sound really good. I usually avoid buying cauliflower, but I have to give this a try!
Hmm I can just imagine the immense flavor it delivers by roasting it ,thanks for the great idea!
I LOVE Cauliflower! This is different but I may have to try it!!
Broccoli and brussels sprouts are also really great this way. You can even use frozen ones.
That sounds really good, I think I will have to try it.
I love cauliflower! My mom usually sticks with roasted brussel sprouts for Thanksgiving, but I may convince her to add this to her repertoire!
My mom LOVES cauliflower… this would be a great (and easy) surprise treat to make for her on Thanksgiving!
oh my oh my….this looks DELICIOUS!
I can not wait to try this recipe this weekend! It looks so yummy!!!
Yum. My son tells me "cauliflower tastes like candy" and "it's my favorite veggie". Thanks for another way to use it!
mmm, this DOES look really good. i dont think ive ever cooked cauliflower in my life..
Yum, I'm going to try this tonight!
I love roasted cauliflower. I'll have to try adding the toasted pine nuts.
Cauliflower is an awesome veggie. Love it roasted and mashed up with potatoes!
LOVE cauliflower!! We are going to try this one!!
I am so trying this, like, tomorrow!
I love the addition of pine nuts in this recipe. I've made cauliflower like this before, and added paprka to it for a nice spicy flavor. Yum! Do you think it would work to roast these on a cooling rack inside the baking sheet, so you don't have to toss them halfway through the cooking time? I've done that before when making french fries, and it's super easy.
I really like cauliflower, but I think you just gave me a way to get my husband to like it too. Thanks!
Another wonderful recipe!! I just found your site and am thoroughly enjoying it! You've got quite a little helper!
Love this and make it all the time! Also, have you tried this with the Orange and purple variety?
Sounds delish!
This is my favorite way to eat cauliflower! In fact, I think I said the same thing in one of my posts, that I could eat a whole bowl full. Have you tried it with any other spices, like curry powder?
Ahh…the secret is to make TWO heads of cauliflower–I also could eat a whole one by myself!
I love roasted cauliflower. Its also good with a little balsamic vinegar drizzled on top!
Just recently discovered I like "white broccoli" too! Especially with some fresh parmesan on them.
I love this recipe – I can't wait to try it. Normally we use cauliflower in recipes with strong sauces, like Indian food, because it's too bland to eat steamed. I'll definitely give this a try (not sure about my kiddos, but I will try to get them to give it a chance!).
The picture is making my mouth water.
I Always forget about cauliflower. I love it though. Thanks for the reminder
This sounds easy and delicious! I'll have to give it a try this week. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, I always want to love cauliflower and never do!! Thanks!
I love cauliflower, but I've never roasted it like this, it looks absolutely wonderful! I have a whole head in the fridge right now, I don't think I can wait until thanksgiving to try out this recipe – I'm making it tomorrow night!!!
Thank you for giving cauliflower some color because I hate the whiteness, I can see myself eating this.
Glad you acknowledged that some do not like cauliflour. I am definitely in that category but am going to try this recipe nonetheless!
i love cauliflower no matter how it's cooked (or not cooked). a great one to add to the recipe box!
I make something similar but saute cauliflower in olive oil and a tad bit of butter. Then add some garlic cloves cut in half. Saute until cauliflower is browned and caramalized and then put in a greased dish, drizzle with a little more olive oil and pop in the oven for another 20 minutes or so. So yummy! I love the addition of pine nuts to it also! I actually just made it tonight! I wish I would have seen this post before so I could have tried with the pine nuts! Oh well, next time!!!
love this! this is how i always make my 'white broccoli' but i usually like to throw on some fresh grated parm and a squeeze of lemon as soon as it comes out- yummy
I don't usually like cauliflower but I might have to give this a try
It looks fantastic.
My picky 2 year old actually loves roasted cauliflower. I didn't even think about making it for Thanksgiving! Am going to add it to the menu now.
Looks good. My mom makes breaded cauliflower that she sautees in a pan, that's delicious too.
Yes please! I have a whole head in the fridge just waitIng for some inspiration. Thanks!
I just discovered roasted cauliflower this past year, and I'm in love. Add some roasted brussel sprouts and I'm in heaven.
Ok, so I just made this, & it's freaking amazing. Kidlet hasn't tried it yet, but it will be part of tomorrow's dinner (if it makes it that long- decidedly less than intended ended up in the container.)
I've been roasting my cauliflower for 15 minutes, but tonight I'm going to try and be patient and go for 30 instead, because this looks *gorgeous.* The pine nuts sound like a tasty addition, too.
I was about the give up trying to get my little one to eat these, but now I still have some hope!! I think she might really go for these. Thanks!!
Made this tonight and my toddler and cleared half the pan ourselves before it made it to the table. Yummy! Thanks for sharing.
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