Cauliflower. Did you hate it as a kid? Do you find it bland and boring as an adult? Well then I have some bad news for you. You’re old school. Because somehow cauliflower has pushed its way beyond its stodgy past and attained new school relevance. Whether you grill, sear, roast, mash, blend or simply eat a big thick slice of Cauliflower Steak, there are a million creative ways to enjoy this cruciferous vegetable. From Cauliflower Pizza to Cauliflower Ice Cream.
I usually enjoy cauliflower as a side dish– tossed with olive oil, sprinkled with bold spices like cumin, coriander or anise, then roasted until softened, charred and sweetened in an intensely hot oven or grill. When served in this simple manner it will sit nicely on the plate next to almost anything you’d like to serve. It’s also nice cooked in this manner, then tossed with cheesy pasta.
However, cauliflower is also making its new school appearance as a serious main course option. It may have started as a vegetarian excuse to use the word steak in a sentence, but charred Cauliflower Steak is now served as a main course in high-end restaurants and at fancy-pants dinner parties (including mine).
I think this is partly due to the availability of really good cauliflower that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Farmers markets and organic vegetable stands sell cauliflower in vibrant shades of violet and saffron. There are spiky chartreuse examples, and even adorable miniature versions. They all beg for some new school attention.
In less enlightened old school kitchens, cauliflower is humble fare that’s either camouflaged beyond recognition, or so timidly seasoned that its true beauty gets ignored. I won’t let that happen in my kitchen.
Cauliflower Steak with Chili-Spiced Honey
This new school Cauliflower Steak with Chili-Spiced Honey recognizes that cauliflower can stand up to bold seasoning (in fact it almost begs for it). I chose a chili powder that I mellowed with honey. The combination creates a sweet and spicy glaze that caramelizes beautifully. I used an array of additional textures to highlight the charred and softened dichotomy of this Cauliflower Steak. Warm beans, cool radish slices, and salty pistachios all bring an extra dimension of both taste and texture. I also laid a single wedge of pillowy soft, coriander-spiced sweet potato on the plate at my party. This is optional.
All I need to make this Cauliflower Steak a success is to invite *three of my favorite blogger friends to the table to throw loads of new school praise my way. GREG
*Thanks Bibberche, Lentil Breakdown and Two Broads Travel, you know just what my old school ego needs.
Never remember having cauliflower as a kid, but love experimenting with it now. Adding this treat to my must try list.
If only my mom knew about roasting instead of steaming cauliflower back in the day! Your dolled up purple steak is gorgeous! And the variety of flavors and textures make for an irresistible meal.
Oh my lordy lord, that looks so yummy. It’s getting close to my lunch break and I would love that today!
What a beautiful dish! (Extra credit for purple cauliflower, of course. Hee.) Whole roasted vegetables like the cauliflowers and root vegetables are all the rage this year. Definitely will be sharing this with our friends!
I’ve never thought about cauliflower as a main course…interesting! Cauliflower was always that veggie that was just there. It wanted to join the veggie party, but it just wasn’t quite cool (or tasty) enough. I clearly need to try these cauliflower steaks, though…nicely done!
This is just all around BRILLIANT!!!
This was so flavorful, unique and satisfying! Thanks for catering to my diet. You’re the best!
Cauliflour, as a main course, has become one of our favorites, although I have never made “steaks” before. Definitely will try this — using either the purple (so beautiful) or the Romanesco (green spiky) which may be in my market today!
Cauliflower is definitely having a moment! And I, for one, am loving it. These steaks look all kinds of fabulous…the spin on sweet and savory is always a good thing.
Gorgeous colors. I love purple cauliflower. Can’t wait to try this delicious recipe. Thanks for the inspiration.
You can never go wrong using cauliflower in my book. This recipe looks fabulous!!!
This was without fail the very best cauliflower I’ve ever tasted. I am so glad you posted this recipe because it is going to become a standard in my house. Thanks for the lovely meal.
Such lovely shots…I always laugh when a vegetable that has been around forever suddenly becomes trendy -