Persian-Inspired Roasted Cauliflower

I am definitely not skilled in Persian cuisine, but I’ve eaten it and love all of the rich, warm flavors. Here, tender roasted cauliflower takes on the flavors of cumin, cinnamon, mint, cilantro, and pomegranate… and will hopefully warm you up a bit on these super chilly nights.

Persian-Inspired Roasted Cauliflower2

 

Persian-Inspired Roasted Cauliflower

2 tablespoons (30mL) medium-intensity extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 large red onion, chopped
1 cup (240mL) packed finely chopped kale
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons (7mL) ground cumin
1 teaspoon (5mL) ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon (3mL) ground cinnamon
4 roma tomatoes, chopped
1 cup (240mL) pomegranate juice
1/4 cup (60mL) chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons (30mL) chopped mint, plus more for garnish
1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets
Fine sea or Himalayan salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the kale and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, scraping the bottom of the pan with a spatula to get any spices (flavor!) that might be sticking to the pan.

Pour in the pomegranate juice, bring to medium-high heat, and let cook until the liquid has thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and mint. Let cool slightly, then transfer the mixture to a food processor. Process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Toss the cauliflower with the sauce, mixing well. Bake, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes, until tender.

Switch the oven to the broiler setting. Move the baking sheet to the second rack from the top. Broil for about 5 minutes, until the cauliflower is dry and starting to brown. Garnish with additional cilantro and mint. Serve warm.

Apple Cider Pudding Cake – TAFC Makes Pies and Desserts

This is the last recipe in the round up from a series of blogs highlighting my newest book, The Allergy-Free Cook Makes Pies and Desserts. Just like all of my other recipes, it’s free of gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy, but also legumes, peanuts, seeds and yeast. This Apple Cider Pudding Cake is a lovely alternative to pastry-based apple desserts, and it comes together quickly and easily as the oven preheats. You don’t even have to peel the apples—the skins just meld right into the cake.

Julie is the owner of Julie’s Kitchenette, TV show host, past bakery owner, current owner of Julie’s Original Gluten-Free Baking Mixes, prolific vegan cookbook author and so much more. Once you visit her site, be prepared to take some time–there is an awful lot of awesome going on over there.

Check out the recipe here: Apple Cider Pudding Cake.

Photography c/o Julie.

No-Bake Blueberries and Cream Pie – TAFC Makes Pies and Desserts

Blueberry season or not, this simple recipe takes a few moments in the food processor to bring you creamy (and, dare I say, healthy) goodness. It’s the next stop in a series highlighting my newest book, The Allergy-Free Cook Makes Pies and Desserts. Just like all of my other recipes, it’s free of gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy, but also legumes, peanuts, seeds and yeast.

Cara is the amazing brain behind Fork and Beans, a website that is infinitely creative when it comes to gluten-free and vegan baking and cooking. You can visit her website for a review and the recipe, but be sure to have time to spare to explore her awesome recipe archive and her book, Decadent Gluten-Free Vegan Baking.

Check out the recipe here: No-Bake Blueberries and Cream Pie.

Photography c/o Cara.