Tag Archives: roasting vegetables

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Garlic Dressing

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Roasted Cauliflower Salad with ArugulaTrue story: Back in my Didn’t Know Better days, I used to whip up cauliflower tempura in my tiny studio kitchen on a near-weekly basis. It was always a huge mess – cornstarch dusting every inch of formica and vinyl, Wesson oil splattered all over the white Hotpoint stove. It was indulgent, and totally worth it. I especially loved the browned bits of cauliflower that would sometimes show up, having slipped out of their batter blanket and been allowed to sizzle directly in the oil. If only I had known about roasting cauliflower! I could’ve had that same caramelized delicacy with much less mess and many fewer calories.

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Cauliflower “candy”

Roasted cauliflower is the star of my new favorite salad, which I adapted from a recipe in Fine Cooking. It’s full of contrasting-yet-harmonious flavors and textures, and is dressed with my super-versatile lemon garlic vinaigrette. I use this same dressing for Caesar salad, and even as a marinade for chicken and shrimp. But back to the main event: Even if you don’t make this salad (though you should!), you owe it to yourself to try the roasted cauliflower. Now we all know better. (And yes, the same can be said about perms, blue eye shadow and shoulder pads.)

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More Broccoli, Please!

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OK – so I’ve stretched this a bit.  My kids don’t always say “please” at the dinner table (though we’re working on it).  They do, however, devour roasted broccoli like locusts coming off of a cleanse. When friends ask me for advice on how to get their kids/families to eat healthier, I suggest they get out a baking sheet and try roasting some vegetables.  Roasting at a high temperature caramelizes the natural sugars in vegetables, making them sweet, crunchy and irresistible.  True story: the first time I made roasted broccoli for a Walter family gathering, the eleven kids polished off 3 huge (HUGE) bunches of broccoli before the adults had a chance to go through the buffet line.  Another manners moment: Kids, please leave some broccoli for the rest of us!

Roasted Broccoli

  • 1 large head/bunch broccoli
  • Olive oil
  • Kosher salt

Heat oven to 450ºF.

Chop the florets off one bunch of broccoli; reserve the stalks for soup, or peel and slice into pieces to roast along with the florets. Chop large florets into smaller pieces, since this makes for quicker cooking time and crispier edges.

Dump florets onto an ungreased baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil. You want enough oil to coat the florets, but not so much that you turn your oven into a deep fryer. 1-2 Tablespoons should be plenty.

Using your hands, toss broccoli to coat, and spread out into one even layer. (If there’s not a little air space around each floret, use a second baking sheet to ensure crispy vs. steamed broccoli.) Sprinkle with a generous pinch (approx. ½ tsp) of kosher salt.

Roast in a 450ºF oven for about 15 minutes, or until the edges have turned crisp and brown. Serve immediately for maximum crunchiness.