Hemp Crusted Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce
Hemp Seed-Crusted Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Green Tahini Sauce. This recipe is gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, meat-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free, egg-free and dairy-free but no taste-free. A modern twist with an very impressive taste, look, and most of all health benefits.
ingredients
1 head cauliflower, rinsed, patted dry, green leaves trimmed
1 cast iron skillet
¼ cup extra avocado oil
½ tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons hemp seeds
Green Tahini Sauce severed on top of cauliflower and used to dip
instructions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit.
Cut and remove the bottom hard stalk without removing too much of the core, you want to make sure the head stays intact and not disconnected. Place in a cast-iron skillet or oven-safe parchment-lined pan and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, maple syrup, salt, pepper, garlic powder and hemp seeds. Turn the cauliflower upside down and pour a quarter of the mixture into the core of the cauliflower. Pour the remaining marinade on the top, use a brush to spread the marinade evenly throughout the top of the cauliflower so all the florets are evenly coated. Sprinkle with extra salt, pepper and hemp seeds on top. if desired.
Place the cauliflower floret side up in the pan and cover with aluminum foil. Roast for 50 minutes. Then remove the aluminum foil and roast uncovered for 20-25 minutes (or slightly longer for a larger head of cauliflower).
Drizzle your fresh green tahini sauce and serve. Can be sliced or wedged, the sauce gives it an extra wow factor with very little calories.
Say what? How?!
The Hemp Seed-Crusted Whole Roasted Cauliflower is first basted on all sides with a simple, flavorful marinade. I recommend flipping the cauliflower over and pouring some of the marinade into the core.
After the cauliflower has roasted, add the tahini sauce all over.
Using both hemp seeds and the tahini sauce, makes this high in plant-based protein and a twist on the daily roasted vegetables you are used to making. I used white cauliflower but next time I am going to use colored one — maybe purple.
Health Benefits
Cauliflower is rich in vitamin C, folic acid and dietary fiber and BONUS low in calories!
Fun Fact: Cauliflower is great for digestion and iron absorption as well.