Asian Inspired Whole Roasted Cauliflower

For more delicious Asian-inspired cauliflower recipes, also try our baked general tso’s cauliflower, kung pao cauliflower, and skinny bang bag cauliflower. If this is your first time making a whole roasted cauliflower, you’re in for a treat. To start, you don’t have to bother with chopping the cauliflower into florets. Simply trim the leaves and the stem off so it sits flat, rub on the sweet and savory seasoning paste, and bake it until tender. It’s perfect for adorning the table at special dinners, and it’s suitable for all eaters (gluten-free, vegan, and keto). We like to bring it to the table whole and let guests watch as we slice it into wedges before serving. The ingredients and methods are simple enough that we even make it on weeknights, served with a simple side of rice and tofu as a healthy vegetarian meal. If you weren’t already a cauliflower lover, we bet you will be now! Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

Cauliflower – a whole large cauliflower head is the star ingredient in this recipe. Sesame oil – this nutty and fragrant oil is a big flavor enhancer for this dish. We find that toasted sesame oil has a more rich taste, but you can also use raw. Cooking oil – any neutral cooking oil works well. We like extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil. Miso paste – miso is a versatile ingredient that adds a unique salty savoriness to this dish. Chili garlic sauce – adds some tang, a bit of heat, and a punch of garlic. Ginger – freshly grated ginger is both spicy and sweet and is the perfect complement to the other Asian flavors in this dish. Sliced green onions, toasted white and black sesame seeds, and sea salt – for serving. You can also use other fresh herbs like cilantro.

Here’s how it comes together in a few simple steps:

Make sure all parts of the cauliflower you can reach are covered in oil. The oil helps it to brown and makes it taste extra delicious. Roast whole cauliflower until it’s dark brown and even charred in spots for the most flavor. We know it’s hard to wait, but don’t rush it! Be generous when seasoning with salt, it helps to enhance all the other flavors. The cauliflower already has a bit of heat, but you can dial it up by adding more chili garlic sauce or chilies if that’s your thing.

Although it looks filling, it’s a vegetable so we recommend serving it with a protein and a grain side dish like brown rice, quinoa, or our favorite coconut rice. Protein mains that pair well with whole roasted cauliflower

Soy Sauce Chicken Ginger Miso Salmon Steaks Sweet Hoisin Meatballs

Sides that taste great with it, too!

Ginger Rice Sautéed Bok Choy with Ginger and Garlic Spicy Honey Roasted Carrots