Meat-free Monday got me thinking, and a recipe for baked cauliflower caught my eye. This is what came of it — a whole spiced cauliflower, carrot and potato patties, and baked asparagus, all on one roasting pan. It's the kind of vegetarian dinner that doesn't feel like a compromise.
If you'd rather take this pairing in a curry direction, my Aloo Gobi is worth a look.
How to Make Baked Spicy Cauliflower with Carrot & Potato Patties
Ingredients
- 1 whole cauliflower
- Greek yoghurt
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, grated, plus 2 whole unpeeled
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- Dijon mustard
- Ground cumin
- Garam masala
- Olive oil
- 2 medium potatoes, cubed
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 onion, chopped
- Frozen peas, a handful
- Fresh parsley, stalks finely chopped
- Nutmeg, for grating
- White pepper
- 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends snapped off
- 1 whole tomato
- Black pepper
Method
In a bowl combine the Greek yoghurt, paprika, cayenne, grated garlic, lime zest and juice, Dijon mustard, cumin, garam masala and a glug of olive oil. Mix well then smear generously all over the cauliflower.
While the onion sautés in a little olive oil, boil the potatoes and carrots together with the bay leaves until soft. Drain, discard the bay leaves, and leave to cool.
Mash the carrots and potatoes with the finely chopped garlic, then fold in the cooked onion, frozen peas, chopped parsley stalks, white pepper and a good drizzle of olive oil. Combine gently, then shape into patties or rounds. Grate a little nutmeg over each one.
Snap the woody ends from the asparagus and drizzle with olive oil and black pepper.
Arrange the cauliflower, patties, asparagus, whole tomato and unpeeled garlic cloves on a large roasting pan. Place in a hot oven and check after 20 minutes — remove the asparagus when done and cover with foil. Continue baking the cauliflower and patties for another 10 minutes or more until everything is golden and cooked through.
Serve straight from the pan.
If you want a simpler way to dress up cauliflower, my Cauliflower: Pimping it up is a good starting point or if you want the smoky, charred version, my Jerky Cauliflower Steak takes cauliflower somewhere spicier.
This baked spicy cauliflower with carrot & potato patties is part of my Veg, Fruit & Pulses collection. Wonky photos, proper produce, genuine adventures – The Flexible Chef
