Go Back

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Feta

A stunning and flavorful whole roasted cauliflower dish served with creamy whipped feta and a vibrant herb sauce. This recipe is impressive yet surprisingly simple to make, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Servings 1 head

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • aluminum foil
  • Food processor or blender
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Serving platter

Ingredients
  

For the Whole Roasted Cauliflower

  • 1 head cauliflower Choose a nice, firm head with tightly packed florets.
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil Your go-to for healthy fats and to help those spices stick!
  • 2 Tbsp water Just a touch to help create that luscious spice paste.
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar This is our secret weapon for a gorgeous caramelization and a hint of sweetness that balances the spices.
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika For that wonderful smoky depth of flavor.
  • 1 tsp curry powder A warm, aromatic hug for your cauliflower.
  • 1 tsp cumin Earthy and essential.
  • 1 tsp salt To bring out all those beautiful flavors.
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper A little kick to round things out.

For the Whipped Feta

  • 8 oz feta cheese Make sure it's at room temp, it'll blend so much smoother!
  • 3 oz cream cheese This makes the feta unbelievably creamy and dreamy.

For the Herb Sauce

  • 0.5 cup fresh parsley or a mix of parsley and cilantro. Fresh herbs are key here for brightness!
  • 0.5 cup olive oil To create a silky, vibrant sauce.
  • 2 cloves garlic Because what good recipe doesn't have garlic?
  • 1 jalapeno pepper seeds removed. For just a hint of gentle heat. You can leave some seeds in if you like it spicier!
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice A zesty punch to brighten everything up.
  • 0.25 tsp salt To enhance all those fresh flavors.

For Garnish

  • 1 handful pine nuts These add a lovely nutty crunch and a touch of elegance.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Trim off any loose leaves from the base of the cauliflower and trim the very bottom of the stem, leaving the core intact.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, water, brown sugar, smoked paprika, curry powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
    1 head cauliflower
  • Place the cauliflower core-side down in a baking dish and generously brush the spice mixture all over it.
    1 head cauliflower
  • Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and roast for 40-50 minutes, or until fork-tender.
  • While the cauliflower roasts, combine room temperature feta cheese and cream cheese in a food processor and blend until super smooth and creamy.
    1 head cauliflower
  • In the food processor, combine fresh parsley (or parsley and cilantro mix), olive oil, garlic cloves, deseeded jalapeno, lemon juice, and salt. Blend until smooth.
    1 head cauliflower
  • Once the cauliflower is fork-tender, remove the foil. Increase oven temperature to broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to lightly char the outside.
  • Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a serving platter. Spoon whipped feta over the top, then drizzle with the herb sauce and sprinkle with pine nuts.
    1 head cauliflower

Notes

The herb sauce can be made a day in advance. The whipped feta can also be made ahead and brought to room temperature before serving.