Roasted Cauliflower With Yogurt Sauce AND a dairy free tahini sauce! You won’t believe how addictive this dish is with caramelized cauliflower, a zingy yogurt sauce and a tasty tahini sauce for people who prefer not to eat dairy.
I am so happy today to be sharing this Roasted Cauliflower with Yogurt Sauce AND tahini sauce because it is a very special occasion – it’s the virtual baby shower for Izzy from She Likes Food! I was so honored to be included in this fun celebration put on by a group of amazing bloggers. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post to see all the recipes this group of blogging friends have brought to Izzy’s party.
I met Izzy through blogging and not only is she a talented recipe developer and photographer, but she is also one of the sweetest people ever. Izzy creates mostly gluten-free and vegan or vegetarian recipes on her blog, so I knew that I wanted my contribution to fall into those categories. Izzy makes it look easy, but coming up with a tasty recipe that is vegan AND gluten-free is harder than it looks! I have been wanting to re-create a recipe from the same middle eastern restaurant I mentioned in my last post, and I realized it was perfect for the occasion!
Zahra is the name of the dish, but zahra really just means cauliflower (I think? It might just mean flower). The first time we went to the restaurant, Mr. Briar immediately told me we needed to order this dish. I was not super excited about a cauliflower dish but I went with it. Cut to fifteen minutes later when I could. Not. Stop. Eating. Sometimes it is easy to forget that just a few simple ingredients can come together to make something delicious. In the restaurant the cauliflower is fried, but I wanted to roast this because frying is such a hassle.
Roasted Cauliflower with Yogurt Sauce AND a Vegan Tahini Sauce is an easy side dish or appetizer!
Since I wanted a dairy free option for this, I decided to make two sauces. The first is a simple yogurt sauce, and the second, dairy-free option is a tahini sauce. You can make one or both, totally up to you! Oh, and although I served these in the cute little mini skillets, I roasted the cauliflower on a simple sheet pan. The benefit of creating individual serving sizes is that everyone can pick their own sauce. This dish makes a great appetizer or side dish, perfect for a dinner party – or a baby shower!
Congratulations again Izzy!
Complete your Middle Eastern Feast…
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Roasted Cauliflower With Yogurt Sauce (Zahra)
Ingredients
For The Cauliflower:
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon allepo pepper see note
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- parsley for garnish, optional
For Yogurt Sauce:
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh Lemon Juice
- 1-2 minced garlic cloves
For Tahini Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F
- On a baking sheet, toss cauliflower with 1/4 cup of olive oil, Aleppo pepper, season with salt and pepper to taste. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and starting to brown.
- While cauliflower is roasting, make the sauces (you can make just one or both)
For The Yogurt Sauce:
- Stir ingredients together until smooth. Thin with just a little water if you would like a thinner consistency.
For The Tahini Sauce:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and add the tahini, lemon juice, Aleppo pepper, salt and pepper to taste. Use a whisk to stir just until combined. Whisk in the water and whisk until smooth (you can ad more or less water to reach desired consistency)
To Complete The Dish:
- Serve cauliflower drizzled with sauce of choice, then garnish with just a pinch of Aleppo pepper and parsley if desired. Serve while cauliflower is still hot!
Notes
Nutrition
Tahini sauce adapted from Food.com
If you make this recipe don’t forget to tag it @foxandbriar and #foxandbriar on instagram and facebook! I really love to see what you make and you may be featured in our weekly Reader Feature!
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Sandi (@fearless_dining) says
I love the two different dipping sauces…it is nice to have a dairy free option too 🙂
Meghan says
Thanks Sandi!
swayam says
This is such a great cauli flower dish. I am not too fond of it..but the way you have made, it. YUM!! Cant wait to give this a try. LOVE Mediterranean spices!
Meghan says
Thank you Swayam! I bet you would love this then!
Candice | Whole Health Hacks says
This looks SO delicious! I cannot wait to try it!
Meghan says
Thank you Candice! I hope you love it!
Jennifer A Stewart says
My son calls cauliflower “decapitated broccoli.” I tried to describe the flavor to him one day to get him to try it and I said it tasted like diluted broccoli. He has been calling it decapitated ever since and never ceases to make me laugh. He still won’t eat it either… I love to eat it all time to make the “rice” and “mashed potatoes” for when I am going full Paleo but I also love roasting the head whole. So much fun!
Meghan says
Haha, that is hilarious Jennifer! I love cauliflower in all forms too 🙂
Naina says
I love cauliflower & I can imagine how good this roasted version tastes with those fantastic sauces! Love your idea of serving them in little skillets so rustic!
Meghan says
Thank you so much Naina!
Rachel @SimpleSeasonal says
This along with your other Middle Eastern recipe look like such a yummy feast! I know what I’m adding to my grocery list for this week!
Meghan says
Thank you so much Rachel! It makes a great meal all together, I hope you love it!
jane @ littlesugarsnaps says
They look sensational little pans of goodness. And I love the idea of serving them separately with a choice of sauces.
Meghan says
Thank you Jane!
Michel says
I love this! I’m thinking of using the roasted cauliflower in a lettuce shell as tacos for a vegetarian friend I have coming this weekend…. those sauces will be awesome over the top as a ‘Salsa” for something totally different to serve for her! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Meghan says
Oh those tacos sound delicious! Thanks Michelle!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
You’re right, I love how seemingly unremarkable ingredients can become something amazing when put together. This roast cauliflower looks like a perfect example, especially roasting the cauliflower to bring out the flavour, and I love that you’ve given too sauce options. i think I’d have to try both!
Meghan says
Thanks Michelle! I think simple food is the best sometimes.
Julie at Hostess At Heart says
I just love cauliflower and love what roasting does to veggies. The natural caramelizing is amazing. This dish has me craving some roasted cauliflower!
Meghan says
Roasting is totally the best! Thanks Julie!
MB @ Bourbon and Brown Sugar says
Wow… I’m crushing on cauliflower at the moment, and this looks divine! I’ve been tinkering with a version with golden raisins and toasted hazelnuts… but I may need to pull out the tahini. Just discovered your blog via the virtual baby shower – love it… looking forward to following your culinary adventures:)
Meghan says
Thank you so much MB! Golden raisins and hazelnuts sound like they would go so well with cauliflower too, it is really a magical veggie 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
This looks amazing! I’m sharing with my sister….she is in a cauliflower mode….she makes everything cauliflower! If I’m really lucky, I can get her to make this for me 🙂 That’s what sister are for….right? 🙂
Meghan says
Haha! Yes, totally Kathy! If she loves cauliflower than it might be easy to talk her into it 😉 Thanks so much!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
What a healthy and flavorful way to cook cauliflower! Both sauces sound amazing. I am so happy for Izzy!!
Meghan says
Yay! Thanks so much Christin!
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen says
Oh my gosh YES I have come to the realisation lately that roasted cauliflower is one of the best things ever to come out of an oven.. so good! And absolutely poles apart from the mushy, steamed white flavourless thing that I used to associate with cauliflower…
Love the sound of the yogurt & tahini sauce you put with it too, will definitely have to give it a try!
Meghan says
Thanks Claudia! It is amazing how good it is!
Bam's Kitchen says
I could polish off one of these little platters easily. I really love the flavors and balance of middle Eastern food- pure comfort food, without the guilt. Don’t you just love how sweet the cauliflower gets when you roast it. Congrats to Izzy!
Meghan says
Bam’s Kitchen – Thank you! Yes, I totally love the flavors of the roasted cauliflower too!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Why is roasted cauliflower just the BEST thing ever?! This looks so absolutely delicious, an I’m loving that tahini yogurt sauce. Swoon! I could eat this all day long.
Meghan says
Thank you Rachel! It really is just the best roasted!
Rakhee@boxofspice says
Oh I do so love cauliflower and I love what you have done here with this dish. Absolutely delicious!
Meghan says
Yay, thank you Rakhee!
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
IM SWOONING over this amazing recipe! This cauliflower looks to die for! So much goodness in one recipe!
Meghan says
Thank you so much Bethany!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Roasted Cauliflower With Yogurt Sauce + dairy free tahini sauce? Wow! Love Middle Eastern food, this looks awesomely addictive. Also love how healthy and colorful this is!
Meghan says
Thanks so much Anu!
Annie says
I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t be able to stop eating this either!!! That cauliflower seasoning and the dipping sauce are full of flavors that I adore. Can’t wait to try. Cauliflower and tahini are an addicting combination (Never thought I would say that. Six year old me is shaking her head right now).
Meghan says
Haha! I know, as kids we never would have imagined that we would get so excited about vegetables 🙂 Thanks Annie!
Rebecca @ NOURISHED. the blog says
Roasted Cauliflower is one of my favourite things ever. And that tahini sauce! Can’t wait to try this one!
Meghan says
Thank you Rebecca! Cauliflower was made to be roasted!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Aww blogging friends are the best! Love this gorgeous recipe, so healthy and so flavourful – #winning!
Meghan says
Thanks so much Jessica!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
This looks Ah..Maz…ing! I adore Middle Eastern cuisine – I could literally eat it every day and be very happy! I love food that doesn’t shy away from spices. And that yogurt sauce – I could put that on just about anything!
Meghan says
Thank you Kathleen! The yogurt sauce is my favorite!
Ashley says
Woot!! Huge yay for tahini!!! I cannot get enough! Or roasted cauliflower … so I know I would be shoveling this down if the shower were in person!! lol So glad we could celebrate Izzy together!!
Meghan says
Haha, I wish it were in person too! So many delicious treats! So fun to celebrate with you for Izzy!
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
Well that’s it! I absolutely must buy a cauliflower. I feel like I’ve been seeing cauliflower dishes ALL over my feeds lately, and it’s giving me cravings for it! It’s such a delicious and versatile vegie. I love what you have done here with it, Meghan! I can imagine it being so delicious and crispy (but also soft inside) thanks to all that roasting 😀
Meghan says
Yes! I’m convinced that roasting cauliflower is the best way to cook it. I hope you love it! Thanks Lisa!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
This cauliflower looks amazing, Meghan! I love that you thought to make two sauces. The lemon sounds like the perfect touch for the roasted cauliflower. I wish I could snack my way through a plate! 🙂
Thank you again for joining us! <3
Meghan says
Thank you Sarah! I was so thrilled to be a part of the celebration!
marcie says
I love cauliflower and this yogurt sauce sounds phenomenal! This sounds like a great dish to celebrate Izzy’s shower and I know how much she loves tahini!
Meghan says
Thank you so much Marcie, so great to celebrate together!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
You’ve been on fire lately with your posts, Meghan. Love all of them – but this one really speaks to me because I could eat roasted cauliflower every day. Can’t wait to try it – and I’ve got some tahini sitting in my fridge!
Meghan says
Aww, Geraldine, thank you so much! I hope you love it!
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
Thank you so much, Meghan!! Haha, I used to not be super thrilled about cauliflower dishes either, but then I realized how amazing it is when you roast it! This dish sounds perfect and I love both of the sauces! I’m kind of a sauce fiend, haha! I could eat the entire bowl of this and not feel guilty afterward! Thank you! 🙂
Meghan says
Yay! Thank you Izzy, and a big congrats to you! 🙂
Megan @ Meg is Well says
Roasted cauliflower smothered in either of those sauces sounds perfect right about now! And I have to try this allepo pepper-I’m on a mission. I love how blogging can bring so many people together in a virtual space even though they are so far away physically.
Meghan says
Thank you Megan! I searched forever for allepo pepper and I finally found some at a specialty spice shop in Seattle (Market Spice). I think Penzeys also has it!
E.A. says
What a great idea to celebrate together through your blogs! Very clever & fun~~❤️
This recipe looks amazing~~of course I LOVE the two small iron skillets~~it looks so cosy & the pictures are stellar!
The sauces both sound delish, and I hope to try both!!
Cauliflower is just coming into maturity where I live, so it’s perfect for this season~~
Thanks again for sharing a meal that you have honed to perfection yourself so we can just follow the recipes!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meghan says
Thank you! With locally grown cauliflower it would be amazing! And no surprise the skillets caught your eye! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I haven’t even tried this dish yet, and I can believe how addictive it is Meghan! I have a die hard love for all things cauliflower, and simply roasted is my favs. But you took it WAYYY over the top with not one, but TWO sauces! This looks beyond delicious, girlfriend! I totally want to stop what I’m doing and go whip this together! Pinned! Cheers, dear!
Meghan says
Thanks so much Cheyanne! Roasted is always best 🙂 Thanks so much for the pin dear!
Julia says
Roasted cauli is one of my all-time faves, and I’m loving this yogurt sauce you’ve got going on! It looks so fresh and flavorful – definitely a perfect sharable dish! It’s been marvelous hanging out with all you lovely ladies for Izzy’s shower!
Meghan says
Thank you so much Julia! It has been so fun getting to know you all!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Love the TWO sauces, Meghan! OMGeee I know I’d love this.. that allepo pepper, although I’ve never had one – can’t seem to find them, is making my mouth water.. then that sauce! Sooo good and your photog is gorgeous my dear! So fun partyin with you in celebration of Izzy!
Meghan says
Traci, I found the allepo pepper at Market Spice at Pike Place Market! You should pop in next time you are nearby, the have the most amazing spice collection. Thank you so much lady, I am so happy to be part of this party 🙂
Ashlyn // Dollop Of Yum says
Looks delicious Meghan! I love cauliflower and am always looking for more ways to cook with it!!
Meghan says
Thank you Ashlyn! I bet you would love it!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
Looks delicious, Meghan! I’ve been on a huge cauliflower kick lately and lovin’ all things cauliflower. Roasting veggies is yummy anyway and then serve it with these sauces? I think I would definitely have to try both and then decide which one I like best 😉 P.S. I love those little skillets….aren’t they so cute?
Meghan says
Thank you Dawn! I am not regretting purchasing those skillets at all, they are certainly getting their money’s worth! And I agree, roasting veggies is always the way to go!