There could be an entire cookbook written as an ‘Ode to Cauliflower’. It is such a versatile vegetable! It’s delicious raw, particularly when coated in creamy, zesty dip. It’s wonderful in soup and in salads. It can mimic rice (like this Cauliflower Fried Rice) or mashed potatoes and can even be used to make creamy alfredo sauce!
It’s also delicious roasted.
If cauliflower were a child in school, the teacher’s note would be, “plays well with others.” That’s the secret to its versatility. It pairs well with so many flavors, whether they be savory, sweet, spicy or umami (like the anchovies in Bagna Cauda).
In this recipe: you have smoky, tender cauliflower mixed with a warm vinaigrette of tender raisins, fresh lemon juice, olive oil and red wine vinegar; then it’s topped with buttery toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley.
The dish as a whole is versatile too – serve it as a side dish or make it a meal.
Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts and Raisins
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cored and cut into florets
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 Meyer lemon juice and zest
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread cauliflower florets evenly on prepared sheet.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over cauliflower and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Roast, stirring once, just until tender - 20 to 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make vinaigrette. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil, red wine vinegar and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in raisins. Cook and stir until raisins are plump, about one minute.
- When cauliflower is tender, transfer to serving platter and drizzle with warm vinaigrette. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with pine nuts, parsley and lemon zest. Serve immediately or cool to room temperature, then serve, which will marry the flavors.
Nutrition
There should be a book called Ode to Cauliflower! If you write it, I’ll buy it!! 🙂
Thanks, Kristen!
Marissa – you are so right, cauliflower does play – er..pair so well with others! And what a fabulous pairing you came up with! Love the lemon too!
Marissa! I love the look of this salad – and I love that you make a twist on a salad, make it look so easy and delicious!
Thank you, Kristi!
This is a wonderful way to use cauliflower once again, love it – and the vinegar and raisins make this for me. 🙂
Thanks, Kevin. Me too – love warm, tangy raisins!
I love how versatile cauliflower is! It’s one of my favorite veggies for that very reason. This looks wonderful – a perfect balance of flavors and I love the addition of raisins!
Isn’t it amazing!? Thanks, Faith… xo
What a great way to serve cauliflower! I adore it, so I know that I’d love this!
Thanks so much, Kristi!
I would buy that Ode to Cauliflower cookbook. This dish would be a stunner on my table. I love everything about this dish.
Me too, Maureen! Thank you!
Hi Marissa! I really love roasted vegetables, especially cauliflower! And I am a big fan of toasted pine nuts. My husband loves vegetables and is coming around to the roasted technique. I might add a little smoked paprika, just because it is so good with veggies!
That sounds really good, Dorothy. I love smoked paprika. In fact, I have a slow cooker jambalaya recipe that is MADE by the smoked paprika! I’ve got to get that published to the blog.
I love finding recipes for side dishes like this roasted cauliflower! The pine nuts and raisins are a great addition!
Thanks, Ashley. Yes, love the crunch of pine nuts and the sweet, chewy raisins!
I’ve yet to meet a way to eat cauliflower that I didn’t like (well, plain steamed isn’t a favorite but I figure that doesn’t even count). This roasted salad sounds so good. A great mix of sweet and savory!
I agree, Joanne! It’s so good in everything…
Roasted cauliflower is the best! I think this would be really good tossed with some pasta for a full lunch, too. Yay!
I totally agree – that would make it a complete meal for sure.
We were in the same mood yesterday Marissa! This is such a lovely dish! Love roasted cauliflower!Pinned!
Yes we were, Mira! Your cauli dish looks fantastic!
Love this, Marissa! I love roasted caulifiower, but usually just have it plain or made into mash. Love your idea of combining with pinenuts and raisins and then leaving it at that. Simple but delicious!
Sooooo … when are you starting work on your cauliflower cookbook?
haha, umm, I haven’t started it yet. 😉 Thanks so much, Helen!
My friends call me the roasted cauliflower lady because I love it so much. There’s no simpler but so delicious way to have it. It’s great when cauliflower is really plentiful at the markets! 😀 Love your version with pine nuts and raisins!
Really, ‘the roasted cauliflower lady’? I love it! Thanks, Lorraine.
This cauliflower looks so tasty! I love making traditional vegetables in new ways like this!
Thanks, Shelby. Me too – it’s always fun to find new twists on favorites!
I love all of the fresh flavors you’ve got going on in this dish! I could totally pig-out on this dish, and not feel guilty 🙂
Full disclosure: Keith and I ate the whole platter! 🙂
Marissa, yes!! I would buy that cookbook!!! haha!!! I love cauliflower! love the warm vinaigrette, raisins and buttery toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley!!! looks so good!!!!
Thanks, Alice!
What a great idea Marissa! I’m always looking for different veggie side dishes to enjoy and I love this recipe for roasted cauliflower. Raw cauliflower is not bad, but it’s always 10x better when something’s done to it…and roasting it then dressing it with this vinaigrette and pine nuts sounds perfect! Beautiful job!
Thank you, Beeta!
SO true on so many levels….YES someone needs to make a cauliflower cookbook….and YES the report card from school would say “plays well with others”! I love this Marissa, another way to prepare what is fast becoming one of my favourite vegetables. With ingredients I always have on hand too! N x
Thank you, Nagi! It’s one of my favorites too…
Oh my Marissa, this looks like a winner! I am always looking for vegetable ideas that are tasty.
Thank you, Kimberly! You and me too!
Beautiful!!Loved the recipe.. Simple and delicious
Thank you, Kushi!
This looks delicious! Cauli is so so versatile and I think it’s kinda crazy how you could make a meal out of califlower rice, roasted cauliflower, and cauliflower alfredo. This looks awesome 🙂
Thanks, Medha! It is crazy, isn’t it!?