Roasted Cauliflower & Radicchio Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing and Candied Crunch Topping

I absolutely love roasted cauliflower! It lends itself well to a variety of different flavours and ingredients. This salad is literally a flavour explosion mouthful, is super nutrient dense and makes a fabulous Thanksgiving side dish (perfect for vegans and/or vegetarians too!). Note: When preparing this recipe – don’t be alarmed at the amount of cauliflower needed to prepare this dish, it shrinks up quite a bit during roasting.

Candied Crunch Topping

This step of the recipe is optional – but so worth the little bit of effort. The crunchy topping adds extra texture and additional plant protein to this dish.

• 2 tbsp (30 mL) each of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds
• 1 tsp (5 mL) Crosby’s Maple + Molasses (found exclusively at Sobey’s nation wide click here for product info) OR maple syrup
• 1 tsp (5 mL) brown sugar
• 1/8 tsp each of ground cinnamon, ground ginger and salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F (160 C).
2. Combine seeds, maple + molasses (or maple syrup), brown sugar, spices and salt. Toss until well combined. Spread mixture evenly on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for about 15 minutes (stirring once, halfway) or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and cool completely on the baking sheet. The mixture will get crunchy as it cools.

Dressing

• ⅓ cup (75 mL) tahini
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) Crosby’s Fancy Molasses (click here for product info)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) quality olive oil
• zest & juice of two limes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (or ½ tsp (2 mL) garlic powder (not garlic salt))
• ½ tsp (2 mL) each of salt and onion powder
• hefty pinch chili flakes (optional)

Directions

1. Stir together all ingredients until well combined. Set aside while preparing salad. Note: if dressing becomes thick, add a splash or two (approx 1 tbsp (15 mL)) of cold water and whisk until smooth. **when an acidity (in the case lime juice) is mixed with tahini – it tends to seize up (thicken). Adding a splash of water will thin it out enough so you can drizzle.

Salad

• 2 heads of cauliflower, cut into florets (about 8 cups (2 L) of florets)
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) ground coriander
• ½ head of radicchio, cored and thinly sliced (about 2 cups (500 mL) sliced)
• 1 apple, cut in matchstick pieces
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) pitted and chopped dates
• ½ cup (125 mL) roughly chopped cashews (or walnuts or almonds)
• ½ cup (125 mL) roughly chopped fresh parsley
• ½ cup (125 mL) roughly chopped fresh mint
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• ½ tsp (2 mL) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper

Garnish:

~ candied crunch topping, additional chopped fresh parsley and chopped fresh mint (approx ¼ cup (60 mL) of each)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C).
2. Toss cauliflower with vegetable oil and ground coriander until well combined. Place on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or on two smaller sheets) and place in the center of oven.
3. Roast for about 40 minutes, tossing cauliflower halfway through roasting, until evenly roasted/golden. (If using two baking sheets, rotate pans halfway when tossing).
4. Remove from the oven and cool completely on the baking sheet(s) while preparing the remaining salad ingredients.
5. Place remaining salad ingredients, olive oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl with cooled cauliflower. Gently toss all ingredients together until well combined. (I like to use my hands, so I don’t break up the roasted cauliflower).
6. Place on serving dish and drizzle dressing evenly over salad (alternatively you can toss the dressing with the salad).
7. Garnish dish with candied crunch topping (if using) and additional chopped fresh parsley and mint. Makes 8 servings as a side dish.

Where to Find ‘Delicious & Doable’ Across Ontario

Find ‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ on Amazon (click here) or at one of the below retailers across Ontario:

Type Books ~ 883 Queen Street West, Toronto
Lemonberry ~ 2 Orchard Heights Blvd #10, Aurora
Fanfare Books ~ 92 Ontario St, Stratford
Casual Gourmet ~ 1027 King Street West, Hamilton
The Post Office – 18 Front St. N, Thorold
Chef’s Paradise ~ 1314 Bank Street, Ottawa
Gift It Grey ~ 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
Creative Cook ~ 35 Manitoba St, Bracebridge
Muskoka Brewery ~ 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge
Stephen’s Butcher Shop ~ 8 Harris St, Port Carling
Hilltop Interiors ~ 1150 ON-141, Rosseau
Cedar Canoe Books ~ 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Clark’s On Main ~ 1090 Main Street, Dorset
Bigley’s Cottage Kitchen ~ 39 Bolton St, Bobcaygeon
Farmer’s Daughter – 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Kitchen Bits ~ 1390 Kingsway, Greater Sudbury