ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH TAHINI-PARSLEY SAUCE

Roasted Cauliflower With Tahini-Parsley Sauce image

This Middle Eastern sauce goes wonderfully with foods other than roasted cauliflower. It's traditionally served with falafel and keftes, fish, salads, deep-fried vegetables - or just with pita bread.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 1h

Yield Serves four to six, with some sauce left over

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 large cauliflower, broken into florets
Salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 to 3 garlic cloves, to taste, cut in half, green shoots removed
1 cup sesame tahini
1/4 to 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice, to taste
1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (2 bunches)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, and fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the cauliflower. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Drain and blot dry. Transfer to a baking dish.
Season the cauliflower with salt and pepper, and toss with the olive oil. Place in the oven, and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring from time to time, until tender and lightly browned.
Puree the garlic cloves with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mortar and pestle. Transfer to a bowl, and whisk in the sesame tahini. Whisk in the lemon juice, beginning with the smaller amount. The mixture will stiffen up. Gradually whisk in up to 1/2 cup water, until the sauce has the consistency of thick cream (or runny yogurt). Stir in the parsley. Taste, and adjust salt and lemon juice. Serve with the cauliflower. You will have some sauce left over.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 328, UnsaturatedFat 21 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 27 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 527 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams