Roasted Cauliflower with Cheese and Garlic
Yes we all know how great cauliflower is. What’s so great about it? Besides the fact that it’s low in calories and high in fiber, it has other properties that protect from chronic diseases. It contains several phytochemicals such as sulforaphane, which is a substance that is released when we chew the cut cauliflower and has anticancer properties. It also contains a substance called indole-3 carbinol, which appears to have anti-estrogenic activity and slows or even stops the growth of tumors in the breast.
In the U.S., I usually come across it raw and crunchy in salad bars or as an appetizer along with carrot sticks and ranch dressing. In my mom’s Greek kitchen though, I had as a main course, and I liked it! My mom made it two ways: kokkinisto, cooked in tomato and olive oil or boiled and then adding olive oil and lemon. Both were accompanied with feta cheese (unless we were fasting) and bread. Lately I love it another way: I roast it in the oven, The addition of olive oil to cauliflower and roasting it really makes the difference, giving it a caramelized, nutty and sweet taste.
If you don’t really care for cauliflower, try this roasted recipe and it will become a regular meal in your home – it is delicious. We make it at least once a week and we eat the whole thing in one meal. And another great thing about this recipe is that it requires minimal effort. Just put the cauliflower inn a pan drizzle olive oil, mix and roast!
I sometimes do not add garlic or cheese and it is equally good, as long as you add enough olive oil and roast it until sligtly crunchy.
Nutritionally you have a meatless meal full of antioxidants as both the cauliflower and the olive oil contain these protective substances. If you make the kokkinisto you’ll have the additional antioxidants from the tomato.
Roasted Cauliflower with Cheese and Garlic
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- Salt/Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Crumbled feta or grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 400 F (200 C).
- Wash the cauliflower, take apart so you have small florets (the smaller-the quicker it cooks).
- Mix with the crushed garlic add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add olive oil. Starts with ¼ cup, making sure all florets are covered in oil, add a bit more if needed.
- Cook in the oven for 30-40 minutes.
- Sprinkle with some crumbled feta cheese or parmesan cheese. I add just a bit for taste, but it’s really not necessary.
Photo by Elena Paravantes © All Rights Reserved
Hi Elena! What is a trusted EVO here in the States that I can find? Or do you know where I could order some? Thank you!
Could you say, please, which recipes can be frozen. I live alone and don’t want to waste, for instance, three quarters of a cauliflower, nor do I want the same dish four times in a week.
I love your recipes. I was wondering if any of them can be made in an air fryer and , if yes, could you print the recipes. Thank you so much. I have to lose 130 pounds or my life will be shortened. The hardest part is getting started, so I decided to pick the recipes I like for 1 week at a time, purchase ingredients and make what I can ahead. For me, this eliminates mindless grocery buying
and I have a handle on what I have to do. I have a huge air fryer and was hoping to be able to make some of your recipes in it. Thank you. Have a blessed day. Linda
Congratulations on starting Linda! Thank you for your kind words. I have not tested the recipes using an air fryer so I cannot really tell you if they would work.
I flavor the oil with garlic, but remove the garlic before preparing the dish so no scorched garlic at the end. I didn’t use any cheese. It was really good. The browned areas tasted like maple sugar! It was almost like dessert . My cauliflower looked just like the picture. I have made this recipe twice.
Elena, this is one of my favorites. I roast per your directions, but add in diced red bell peppers. I have made this with sprinkling of crumbled feta (a Greek given), but also have been using grated Kasseri and grated Kefalotyri tossed into the cauliflower as it comes out of the oven…oh soooooo delicious!!!
Thank you! Love the idea of the red peppers, will try it next time!
So good and so easy!
Excellent recipe! Works everytime!