About Cauliflower and this roasted cauliflower recipe
Roasted cauliflower recipes are my favorite way to use this vegetable. A whole head of cauliflower is cooked, so there is enough for a crowd or for several single meals. The results are great hot when it comes out of the oven and just as good cold on a salad the next day. Cauliflower readily takes on the flavors in the glaze and the glaze keeps the cauliflower moist and tender.
Cauliflower is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family along with broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Though white, it is even more packed with nutrients than broccoli. Cruciferous vegetables are well known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer compounds. Cauliflower is particularly high in vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate and pantothenic acid.
Look at this Italian style roasted cauliflower recipe as a way of cooking rather than as a specific recipe. There are endless flavor combinations to be explored via different glazes when oven roasting whole heads of this vegetable. I make cauliflower this way with glazes based on mayonnaise, sesame tahini and teriyaki sauce. A thick red chile sauce or a mild mustard can be used as a glaze base. Experiment with the flavors you like best.
Making the roasted cauliflower recipe-Italian style
Make the glaze. Start with 1/3 cup of your favorite tomato sauce(try the (almost)traditional Italian fresh tomato sauce recipe). Add 2 teaspoons mustard and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Since the glaze will season the whole head of cauliflower, I like to add additional salt, pepper and herbs. A dash of Worcestershire sauce can also perk things up a little more. Mix everything together well.
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 325-350-degrees until tender, about 1 hour. The time will vary with the size of the head of cauliflower and oven temperature. I like to use the lower temperature for a little longer time to get the stems tender without browning the glaze too much.
When it is tender, cut it into wedges like a cake for serving. Roasted cauliflower recipes are great for serving family-style at the table. Roasted cauliflower can be part of every healthy whole food diet.