Description
Moroccan spices dance through this cauliflower shawarma bowl, creating a Mediterranean-inspired feast of roasted vegetables and zesty tahini sauce. Crisp cauliflower florets nestled on herbed rice will transport palates to sun-drenched streets where flavor knows no boundaries.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup quinoa or couscous (or rice for gluten-free)
- ½ cup hummus
- ¼ cup tahini
- ¼ cup crumbled feta (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds (optional)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 2–3 tbsps water (to thin)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 425F (220C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cauliflower Seasoning: Thoroughly coat cauliflower florets with olive oil and spices in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
- Roasting Process: Arrange seasoned cauliflower in a single layer on prepared baking sheet, roasting for 25-30 minutes and flipping midway to achieve golden, crispy exterior.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, gradually incorporating water until achieving a smooth, drizzleable consistency.
- Bowl Construction: Layer quinoa or couscous as base, strategically placing roasted cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion for visual appeal and balanced flavor profile.
- Finishing Touches: Embellish with hummus dollop, crumbled feta, chopped parsley, and optional nuts, then generously drizzle garlic tahini dressing over entire composition before serving immediately.
Notes
- Choose high-quality, fresh shawarma spice blend for authentic Middle Eastern flavor profile. Ground cumin, paprika, and turmeric work best for deep, robust taste.
- Pat cauliflower completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness. Spread florets with ample space between them on baking sheet to prevent steaming.
- Adjust tahini dressing thickness by gradually adding water. Room temperature ingredients help create smoother, more emulsified sauce.
- Easily adapt recipe for vegan diets by replacing feta with nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese. Gluten-free option: substitute quinoa for couscous, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg