Cauliflower goes from bland to craveable once it hits high heat. The edges caramelize and its glucosinolates (compounds your gut bacteria convert into anti-inflammatory helpers) get concentrated in the process. Drizzled with tahini and fresh herbs, this works as a side dish or a base for a fuller meal with chickpeas. If you follow a Whole30-style reset, see what the research says about Whole30 and your gut.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil · 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp turmeric · 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Tahini dressing: 3 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 garlic clove (grated), 3-4 tbsp warm water, salt
- To finish: Fresh flat-leaf parsley, pomegranate seeds, toasted pine nuts or pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C. Toss cauliflower with olive oil, cumin, turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread on a large baking sheet in a single layer.
- Roast 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until deeply golden and caramelized at the edges.
- Whisk tahini dressing ingredients together, adding warm water until pourable. Season with salt.
- Transfer roasted cauliflower to a serving plate. Drizzle generously with tahini dressing. Top with parsley, pomegranate seeds, and toasted seeds.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Calories | 220 |
| Total fat | 16g |
| Total carbohydrates | 16g |
| Dietary fiber | 5g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Sodium | 190mg |
Why This Is Good for Your Gut
Cauliflower's glucosinolates are converted by gut bacteria into anti-inflammatory isothiocyanates. Tahini's sesame lignans are metabolized by gut bacteria into beneficial enterolignans with antioxidant effects. Garlic in the dressing provides prebiotic inulin. Pomegranate seeds add polyphenols that feed beneficial bacteria.
Roast a full head this week and keep the leftovers in the fridge for the next two days. Toss them into rice or eat them cold with the leftover tahini dressing. For other roasted, garlic-forward sides, try our roasted asparagus with garlic and lemon or garlic and herb roasted Jerusalem artichokes.
This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
