A quick and elegant recipe pairing vitamin and fiber-rich cauliflower and Harissa spice using the Harissa Paste by Trader Joe's brand!
Harissa, simply put, will add spice to your life! This Middle Eastern and North African food treasure (found in a paste or powder form) consists mainly of chilies, garlic, varying spices, and olive oil. You can find this spicy gem in most natural food stores or the ethnic food aisles at your local grocery store; I used the Trader Joe's version providing only 10 calories per serving.
If you want to be bold, try making it at home; one of my favorite blogs, The Kitchn, shares a great article on homemade Harissa. As roasted cauliflower and even cauliflower rice (or pizza) are such a trend right now, I thought it would be fun to pair this fiber and vitamin-rich vegetable with a little heat!
Roasted Harissa Cauliflower
A Simple Recipe
Making this dish couldn't have been easier, in fact, it doesn't require a recipe. No-recipe cooking is popping up on many food magazines and blog websites, i.e. Bon Appetit and Martha Stewart, as convenience in the kitchen is a huge factor in meal planning. This recipe simply involves Harissa paste by Trader Joe's, and throwing in some garlic, and then roasting the cauliflower. I even felt silly typing out a recipe, but I felt it would be important to have the oven temperature and roasting time accurate since no one wants charred cauliflower!
Before roasting the cauliflower, it can either be sliced as steaks or in little florets; I've even seen whole cauliflower roasted like it's Thanksgiving day (which I will try next!). Before chopping or slicing the cauliflower, make sure to remove the leaves and cut the bottom stem, so you have a flat surface on the cauliflower when using a knife. While I attempted to slice at first, some broke into florets and I had a nice medley. The florets were easier for spreading the Harissa paste as I used my hands, so, I would recommend using a pastry brush to spread if going with the cauliflower steaks.
This harissa cauliflower recipe makes an excellent main entree on a bed of leafy greens, whole grains, or even as a sandwich. For meat and seafood lovers, the cauliflower can be a great accompanying side dish, as I did with my lentils.
As the temperature is dropping this fall, go ahead and experiment with the warming heat of Harissa. I hope you enjoy this incredibly quick and easy recipe!
Roasted Cauliflower with Harissa Spice
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower, chopped or sliced
- 2 tablespoons Harissa Paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Mix together the oil and Harissa paste (add more paste if needed).
- Rub the cauliflower pieces with the paste mixture (add the garlic) and place on a lightly greased or non-stick baking sheet.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until roasted.
Amy Monteith
Fantastic, my new favorite cauliflower recipe! I sprinkled salt over the steaks, seemed like it needed it. Otherwise, simple, delicious and gorgeous to look at!
Thanks so much! Yes, please salt and pepper as needed! Enjoy!