Roasted Cauliflower Salad

This Roasted Cauliflower Salad recipe is incredibly flavorful. Cauliflower is roasted until tender-crisp, then tossed with farro, lacinato kale, scallions, raisins, and toasty almonds in a savory-sweet turmeric dressing. Vegan, video.

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This Roasted Cauliflower Salad was the first recipe I made this new year as part of my meal prep for our “Plant-Based January Reset”! It’s an older recipe, but it desperately needed a little refresh. Made with a whole head of cauliflower that is roasted until tender and caramelized, tossed with lacinato kale, raisins, green onions, and a golden turmeric dressing,  it’s hearty, filling, with great texture and oh-so-delicious!

Serve it warm as a side dish or chilled as a salad; it even tastes great on the second and third day, as its flavors have time to marinate and meld.  I love this salad and think you’ll enjoy this one too!

Roasted Cauliflower Salad Video

Roasted Cauliflower Salad Ingredients

• Cauliflower – we use a whole head of cauliflower or purchase cauliflower florets
• Lacinato Kale – for a boost of nutrients
• Cooked Farro – or sub- other cooked grains (wheat berries, quinoa, barley, or wild rice,)  or even cooked lentils or chickpeas if you want a gluten-free option.
• Raisins or dried currants – for a touch of sweetness
• Green Onions and Garlic – or feel free to sub red onion and garlic powder
• Extra Virgin Olive oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Maple syrup (or honey)
• Salt and spices: ground turmeric, ground cumin, yellow curry powder and black pepper
• Fresh herbs: your choice of Parsley, cilantro, or even fresh mint.
• Optional: seeds or nuts – toasted sliced almonds, cashews,  pine nuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, micro greens, cilantro

Cauliflower and kale are natural companions, two of my favorite vegetables! The addition of farro (or any cooked grain) gives this dish an extra heartiness, turning it into a meal. You can, of course, leave it out. If going gluten-free, substitute chickpeas or cooked lentils. This hearty salad is so nutritious and full of fiber!

Roasted Cauliflower Salad (Instructions)

Cut the cauliflower into small florets, place in a large bowl, and toss with a little olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Spread out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast in a 425 oven until tender and the edges caramelized.

Start the farro cooking – you can also do this ahead!

Cook farro in a pot of ample salted water, like you would pasta, cooking until tender, and then drain.

While the cauliflower roasts, whisk up the simple turmeric vinaigrette, letting the raisins soak in it and soften.

Tear the kale from its stems, and either chop or tear it into bite-sized pieces. Massage the kale with a little oil oil (a teaspoon) and a pinch of salt, to tenderize it a bit, and place back in the same large bowl you used for the cauliflower. Add the green onions, cooked farro and sliced almonds.

When the cauliflower is done roasting, add it to the bowl and pour in the dressing, and give a good toss.

Taste and adjust salt and vinegar to your liking.

Serving suggestions and Storage

Serve the Roasted Cauliflower Salad immediately as a warm, comforting vegan meal, or place it in the fridge to chill. Roasted Cauliflower Salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated or served chilled.  The dressing can be made ahead and the farro can be cooked ahead.

Expert Tips

• The farro can be cooked ahead and will keep up to 4 days in the fridge.
• Make extra farro and freeze it for later or use some in soup!
• Prep the Roasted Cauliflower Salad ahead for mid-week lunches.

More favorite Cauliflower SaladS!

Purple Cauliflower Salad (Sicilian Style!)

Shaved Cauliflower Salad w/ Yogurt Dressing

Indian Spinach Salad with Lentils & Cauliflower

• Kale Farro Salad with Almonds and Pomegranate
• Farro Salad with Beets and their Tops
• Farro Bowl with Kale & Figs
• Mediterranean Farro Salad w/ Marinated Zucchini and Chickpeas
• Farro Tabbouleh Salad
• Toasted Farro with Pear, Hazelnuts and Arugula

On the homefront: Someone emailed me that it has too long since I have shared here, so here is the latest, in a nutshell. Our puppy Lumi is almost two, and he is still quite a handful. He keeps me outside and walking, which is a good thing, I suppose, and he hates it when I am in front of any screen, pawing at my hands whenever I sit too long. Such a loveable terror. He is my mother reincarnated; I am sure of it. Payback! I am in a new stage of life, peri-menopause, which has been quite an unexpected journey to navigate. Maybe too much information, but it has been very impactful on my life. We are in the process of remodeling a home here in Spokane, which should be done this spring, and I am getting excited! Mostly about the pantry I will have! Haha. I have really never had a “real” pantry before. In a few days, we will drive down to Santa Barbara for a couple of months to soak up some Vitamin D, and I can’t wait to walk on the beach and visit the best farmer’s market ever! I continue to feel so much gratitude to you for being here and supporting the blog, I never could have imagined that a “job” could feel so nurturing and fulfilling. Thank you. 💛

Happy New Year friends 🥂

xoxo

Sylvia

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