Cauliflower has never been the first vegetable I'd choose for dinner. I am still a bit scarred by the childhood memory of all those raw veggie platters with dip - cauliflower was always the last veggie remaining. Because I consider myself to be a truly open-minded omnivore, I have been determined to give cauliflower another chance. I began to reconsider my ban, after planting some in our garden last fall and admiring the gorgeous flowering plant. For a year or so I have tried oven-roasting with plenty of olive oil and salt. Not bad.
I love to improvise with whatever ingredients I have on hand and that is how this dish came to be. If you are cauliflower-phobic as I was, this might just make you a convert.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 large head cauliflower
- olive oil
- salt
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- 2 dozen fresh mint leaves, chopped
- juice of 2 lemons (Meyers if you have them, if you haven't noticed, I am obsessed!)
- zest of one lemon
Preheat oven to 400. Chop cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Put in roasting pan. Coat with olive oil and a few generous shakes of salt. Roast for 25-35 minutes.
To the cooked cauliflower, add 2 tablespoons more olive oil, plenty of lemon juice, zest, pine nuts, and mint. Salt to taste. Enjoy.
Serves 4
Great vegetarian recipe! Love it!
ReplyDeleteRoasted cauliflower is so unlike its watery, steamed cousin... I can't imagine why this wouldn't make a convert of just about anyone.
ReplyDeleteHave never added mint to the mix, though. Nice. Will have to try that!
stumbled onto your blog today and can't get enough. you've got a real eye for photography. any hints on settings you use, or other advice for someone who just got her first digital SLR?
ReplyDeletecheers and thanks,
*heather*
Heather, Thanks so much for the compliments - I really appreciate it. I checked out your blog and you've got some really great photos yourself!
ReplyDeleteMy first suggestion would be to get a good quality macro lens for your camera, if you don't already have one. I use a Tamron 60mm fixed on my Cannon Eos T1i. I am amazed at what a joy it is to shoot food with this lens - it almost feels like cheating!
Another thing that is a must to make food look appetizing, is to use natural light. Also, if your color tones aren't to your liking, try messing with the white balance settings.
I am still learning myself and through dogged experimentation (and obscene amounts of shooting using every setting imaginable!) I end up with more and more good shots.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I can never get tired of chatting about food and photos!
Thanks E! I might just take you up on the offer to pick your brain more in the future... Off to putz with the new toy!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
*Heather*