Middle Eastern Style Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

What I love most about cauliflower is the richness and delicious, silky mouthfeel it provides when roasted.

The West seems to have recently discovered just how incredible cauliflower is when roasted. In the Middle East, we discovered this long ago. Well, technically we discovered how amazing FRIED cauliflower is but then we were like “hmm.. maybe we need to find a healthier alternative” and so we began to substitute fried cauliflower for roasted cauliflower in our dishes such as Makloubeh. Cauliflower is an incredible vegetable to roast because it withstands heat and produces a natural caramelization when treated with the right amount of heat and just the right amount of oils. Something magical happens to this vegetable and it becomes absolutely addicting to eat. Which is really why “buffalo style” cauliflower is so amazing. Have you ever met someone who can restrain themselves with a large platter of buffalo wings? I have not. Same for roasted cauliflower. I have to actually hide the tray of roasted cauliflower from my husband so he doesn’t eat the entire tray before dinner. This is not just a fun story, it’s real life. Roasted cauliflower is that good.

So when i discovered the Wild Garden Foods line of prepared sauces, dressings and foods i thought to myself “self” what can I do with a tangy, slightly spicy bottled harissa sauce that’s packed with flavor?” DUH- Middle Eastern Style Buffalo Cauliflower Bites! The caramelized cauliflower makes for the perfect vehicle for the tangy, slightly spicy sauce and it becomes all that much better when paired with a rich tahini sauce. You know, the Arab ranch!

So here it is. Drumroll please. In partnership with Wild Garden Foods, i’m bringing you this incredible appetizer. So easy and perfect for all occasions.

Give this recipe a try, leave a comment your feedback and some love. If you make this dish and share it on social media, use the hashtag #Hungrilyhomemaderecipe #WildGardenEats

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 4-5 servings

Ingredients

for the cauliflower

1. 2 large heads of cauliflower, broken into florets

2. 6 tbsp olive oil

3. 1/4 cup Wild Garden Foods Harissa Dressing

4. 2 tbsp honey

5. Juice of 1 large lemon

6. 4 cloves of garlic, crushed

7. 1 1/2 tbsp salt

for the tahini sauce

1. 1/2 cup tahini paste

2. 6 tbsp cold water

3. 2 cloves garlic, crushed

4. Juice of 1 1/2 lemons

5. Salt to taste

Method

Preheat oven to 425F.

1. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, Wild Garden Harissa Dressing, honey, lemon, crushed garlic and salt. Mix to combine.

2. In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower with the oil and harissa sauce you mixed in the first step. Ensure all cauliflower florets are well coated in the sauce.

3. Dump the cauliflower florets onto a cookie sheet prepped with parchment paper and sprinkle. Bake for 40 minutes, flipping cauliflower over at the 20 minute mark. When everything is golden brown and crispy, remove from oven.

4. Prep the tahini sauce while the cauliflower roasts. To make the tahini sauce, mix the tahini paste with salt, lemon juice, garlic, and water. Mix until well combined. If the tahini sauce is too thick for your liking, add an additional tbsp of water.

5. Once you’ve removed the cauliflower from the oven, drizzle the tahini paste over the hot cauliflower. Garnish with chopped parsley if you like!