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Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

in a

Spicy Mexican Sauce

Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce

I have been fascinated by the “whole roasted cauliflower” thing for a while now – yes, I DO realise that to many people that means “I need to get out more”, but, please hear me out. It’s just such a great idea, a sort of veggie roast if you like, plus a better and more impressive way to serve this much maligned veggie; and, for someone who is constantly on a diet, where cauliflowers feature a lot, a more glamorous and exciting way to serve this humble veg.

Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce

I trawled the internet for recipes, and I was taken with several ideas, such as Whole Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower {with Mint Chutney} from Lemony Thyme, as well as the plain Whole Roasted BBQ Cauliflower from Petite Allergy Treats. But, in the end I decided to go my own way and roast mine with a spicy Mexican style sauce, mainly due to the fact that I had some home-made enchilada sauce left that I made in my Froothie Blender.

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

So, as I had a blank canvas, well a whole cauliflower to play with, I decided to create a diet-friendly recipe that would fit in with my 5:2 diet fast day meals. I love cauliflowers, on a feast day as much as a fast day, and I have some lovely diet recipes on Lavender and Lovage that use caulis, such as:

5:2 Diet Spiced Moroccan Cauliflower Couscous – Tabbouleh with Halloumi (56 calories)

Cauliflower CousCous Tabbouleh

Cauliflower – The Dieter’s Friend! Faux Mashed Potatoes – Cauliflower Mash Recipe

Faux Mashed Potatoes - Cauliflower Mash

Low-Calorie Cauliflower Crust Pizza: Gluten Free, Paleo and 5:2 Diet Pizza Recipe

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Spiced Cauliflower

Spiced-Cauliflower-7-600x493

Creamy Cauliflower & Stilton Cheese Soup

Creamy Cauliflower & Stilton Cheese Soup

Whole Roast Cauliflower

What impressed me so much about today’s recipe, is just how easy it was to make, and just how impressive it looks when served whole. I see this recipe, and variations of this recipe, being perfect for Christmas, New Year, Easter, Summer Dinner Parties, Thanksgiving and any other special celebratory meals. But, as well as looking good, for those on a low-carb or low-calorie diet, this is perfect for a hearty and tasty main meal – I served mine with a little side salad and even my cauli-hating husband liked it.

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

The sauce, as I mentioned before, was made in my brand-new, shiny Froothie blender! It’s a wonderful appliance to have in the kitchen, and look out for my next recipe using the sauce and the blender…..Blood Orange Curd and Two Cheese, Chicken and Kale Enchiladas……

Blood Orange Curd

Blood Orange Curd

Two Cheese, Chicken and Kale Enchiladas

Two Cheese, Chicken and Kale Enchiladas

……..you can read my first Froothie review here Making an Easy Enchilada Sauce in under a Minute in a Froothie, and do look out for my next review, where I put the blender through its paces again with some new recipes. But, for now, it’s all about CAULIFLOWER and I do hope that you enjoy my recipe for Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce as shared below, have a GREAT weekend, Karen

Foothie Logo

Disclaimer: I was sent a Froothie Machine as part of their Ambassador scheme and I was not asked to write a positive review; all views are mine and are not representative of the company. 

Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce

Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce

Print recipe
Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce
Serves 4 as a main meal
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 1 hour
Total time 1 hour, 10 minutes
Allergy Egg
Dietary Vegetarian
Meal type Lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish, Snack
Misc Child Friendly, Freezable, Serve Hot
Occasion Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Formal Party, Thanksgiving
Region British
By author Karen S Burns-Booth
An impressive way to cook a whole cauliflower that is low in calories but tastes amazing! This can be served as a main meal with a side salad on a 5:2 diet fast day, and is only 148 calories per portion. You can also serve the roasted cauliflower without the sauce as an accompaniment to any main course, and the calorie count is only 81 calories per person then.

Ingredients

Poaching the cauliflower

  • 1 medium cauliflower, trimmed and tough stem cut off (146 calories)
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled (5 calories)
  • 2 bay leaves (no calories as not consumed)
  • 10 blackpeppercorns (no calories as not consumed)
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and cut into half (40 calories)

Coating

  • 1 medium egg, beaten (60 calories)
  • 25g grated Parmesan cheese (120 calories)

Sauce

  • 2 tomatoes, finely diced (40 calories)
  • 1 large spring onion, trimmed and finely diced (10 calories)
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely diced (10 calories)
  • 250mls enchilada sauce (I used my homemade version and calculated the calories at 160 calories but check the label if you use a ready-made sauce: Old El Paso is 100 calories per 250 mls)

Note

An impressive way to cook a whole cauliflower that is low in calories but tastes amazing! This can be served as a main meal with a side salad on a 5:2 diet fast day, and is only 148 calories per portion. You can also serve the roasted cauliflower without the sauce as an accompaniment to any main course, and the calorie count is only 81 calories per person then. (Serves 4)

Directions

Step 1 Pre-heat oven to 220C/450F/Gas mark 7.
Step 2 To cook the cauliflower: Bring a pan of water to the boil with the bay leaves, garlic clove, black peppercorns and onion in it and then add the whole cauliflower. Simmer the cauliflower, covered, for 30 minutes, turning it over half way through. Take the cauliflower out of the poaching water and sit it in a colander to cool whilst you make the sauce.
Step 3 Make the sauce: take the onion and garlic out of the poaching liquid and finely dice them both. Put them to a bowl and the add the rest of the sauce ingredients - mix well and put to one side.
Step 4 To roast the cauliflower: Place the cauliflower in a baking tray and with a brush coat it with the beaten egg, making sure you cover the whole of the cauliflower - turn if over to coat underneath too. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the cauliflower and roast it in the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes before adding the sauce - spoon it all over the cauliflower and add the rest to the baking tray.
Step 5 Cook for a further 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling hot and the cauliflower is golden brown.
Step 6 Remove from the oven and cut into slices or into quarters, serving with the sauce from the baking tray. This serves four people and each portion is 148 calories.
Step 7 NB: You can serve this without the sauce as an accompaniment to any main course meal. The calories per portion will be 81 calories (serves 4).

Gallery:

Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce

Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce

Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce

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Comments

  1. Toby @ Plate Fodder says

    I love cauliflower. Aside from potatoes, it’s one of the few veggies that changes drastically in texture and taste with every different preparation. I’ve been slow roasting and caramelizing slices lately and nearly cleared out the green grocer of them.

    I’ll have to wait until he restocks and do THIS! I love it!

    Reply

  2. Barbara Constable says

    For some reason I have always cooked my cauliflower whole.normally steaming it with its nice green leaves. Sometimes just sprinkled with cumin. The above sounds yummie. Could eat a plate if it now!

    Reply

    • Karen says

      Yes, I have steamed it whole before too, Barb, for cauliflower cheese, and then cut into quarters, but, this is even better as it’s a sort of “roast dinner” cauli!! I might bring some over for you……;-) Karen

      Reply

  5. Dom says

    It’s beautiful Karen and really shows just how stunning the cauliflower can be. I used to make whole cauliflower cheese because it looks so impressive but haven’t made it for ages. This has inspired me to do it again. Lovely x

    Reply

  8. Glamorous Glutton says

    I’ve been intrigued by roasted cauliflower too, yours looks delicious. Your mexican sauce sounds fabulous and must be wonderful with the roasted cauli. I must give this a go. GG

    Reply

  10. Mike says

    I have never in my life come across cauliflower cooked in such an ingenious way. It give a whole new meaning to the vegetable itself. And it is also quite a bold move to let cauliflower shine as a start of the dish all on its own. Congratulations on such a delicious recipe.

    Reply

  13. Benjamin says

    This cauliflower looks absolutely incredible! I’m a huge fan. I’m picturing a variation of this for christmas day with the sauce served on the side, looking very festive. We’re not even half way through the year and i’m already thinking about christmas… such a big kid!

    Reply

  14. Gavin says

    I’m loving the whole roasted veg idea, I saw a recipe for whole roasted celeriac in the new Ottolenghi ‘Nopi’ cookbook that I want to try as well. I think this weekend might see some whole roasted vegetables action

    Reply

  15. Leslie Limon says

    I made this recipe for The Secret Recipe Club this month and my family absolutely loved it! I was unable to find Parmesan cheese as all the stores in town had run out, but substituted queso fresco. The results were delicious! Not only did I love the combination of enchilada sauce and Mexican cheese, I loved that I could enjoy as much as I wanted guilt-free. 😀

    Reply

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