Friday, March 12, 2010

Pan-Roasted Cauliflower


This cauliflower is one of my new favourite things to eat. It says it serves 4 as a side dish but I can't help myself from eating at least more than half of the recipe at a time. I love finding recipes like this that are single vegetable and simple - does that make sense? Like if I have a vegetable in my fridge/pantry, I'd love to have some things to do with it aside from steaming, pan frying or roasting it. Something a little different but still really easy. And in this case, so incredibly deliciously wonderfully tasty. The combination of pine nuts (don't omit these, they're crucial!), lemon (I tried vinegar, not as good), ground mustard, salt, pepper and green onions is so perfectly balanced and interesting. I'm sure this will remain a favourite dish of mine for a long time.

If this sounds good, you might also like:
Warm Vegetable Salad with Sesame-Maple Dressing
Herbed Cauliflower with Capers & Lemon
Cauliflower Gratin
Ginger Roasted Winter Vegetables

Pan-Roasted Cauliflower
Adapted from fresh 365

serves 4 as a side dish

1/4 cup pine nuts
1 large head cauliflower, cut into tiny florets
1 tbsp olive oil
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp salt
pepper, to taste
2-3 green onions, chopped

In a large sauté pan, add pine nuts over medium heat, and cook, stirring often, 5-7 minutes, until toasted. Transfer pine nuts to a serving bowl. Place pan back on heat and add cauliflower, olive oil, lemon juice, ground mustard and salt. Cook, 12-15 minutes, shaking or stirring every few minutes, until cauliflower is golden brown. Transfer cauliflower to the serving bowl with pine nuts. Season to taste with pepper, and top with green onions.

17 comments:

Jennie said...

This looks fantastic! I was searching for new cauliflower recipes just last night so I'll definitely have to add this to my collection. Yum!

Eileen said...

roasted cauliflower is truly the greatest. the mustard sounds particularly intriguing! now I know what I'll be picking up at the farmer's market tomorrow. :)

MaryMoh said...

I love the pine nuts added to the cauliflower. I have to try this. Looks very delicious.

fresh365 said...

Glad you enjoyed! This is one of my favorites!

grace said...

it takes a lot of effort for me to eat cauliflower, but i like how you've prepared it here. the pine nuts are the clincher for me!

Joanne said...

Ah how I love roasted cauliflower. It's like candy to me. I OD on it. This looks fantastic.

Pam Walter said...

I love cauliflower (even totally plain) and can hardly wait to try this! http://blog.sweetservices.com/sweetscandyblog/

Beatrice said...

I have been going crazy over cauliflower lately, too. And roast cauliflower is such an easy last-minute meal!

Dana said...

I've been eyeing that recipe too (don't you just love her blog?). Looks like you did a great job with this. I love cauliflower roasted but have never pan-fried it.

Chef Aimee said...

I love cauliflower and this is a great recipe you have for roasting! I like it mashed, too!

Johanna GGG said...

I must try this one as I love cauliflower and mustard is a favourite flavouring - glad you have done some research on the flavours for us too!

I have nominated you for an award-cum-meme - at http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com/2010/03/awards-happiness-quicklinks-and.html - feel free to join in or just enjoy for afar depending on your energy levels

CookiePie said...

That sounds GREAT - love the pine nuts!!!

Patty said...

This looks great and super easy! I'm going to have to try this!

Usha said...

Looks fabulous ! Love the pine nuts...

kimberleyblue said...

Oooh, this is seriously tempting me! I love cauliflower too...and with pine nuts? Yum!

I just wish pine nuts weren't so expensive. Their price stops me from making so many of the dishes that I would like to.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

This looks like a great easy, flavorful, and healthy dinner. What an impeccably timed post -- I have some pine nuts I need to use up :).

Katrina said...

Yum! I love this kind of salad!