Search Recipes

Whole roasted cauliflower with lemon and mustard

Neil Perry
Neil Perry

This whole-roasted cauliflower certainly has "wow" factor. For the faint-hearted though, it can be broken up, boiled and the dressing poured over. Also, try the dressing poured over broccoli or beans. Delicious!

Showstopper ... the whole roasted cauliflower can be the vegetarian centrepiece of a roast dinner.
Showstopper ... the whole roasted cauliflower can be the vegetarian centrepiece of a roast dinner. Photo: WILLIAM MEPPEM

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

For dressing

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, or to taste

1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

1 tbsp salted baby capers, rinsed and drained

1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves

 

Method

Put oven rack in the middle position and preheat oven to 220°C.

Lightly oil a baking dish that will fit the cauliflower. Trim off the outer cauliflower leaves. Cut away the base of the stalk so the cauliflower can sit flat, then cut a cross into its base.

Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the top of cauliflower and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt.

Bake cauliflower until tender, about one hour (depending on size). Check by piercing the cauliflower with a paring knife, which should go through easily. Transfer to a serving dish.

For dressing

Whisk together lemon juice, mustard, capers, parsley and remaining 1/2 tsp salt in a small bowl, then whisk in remaining 1/4 cup olive oil.

Drizzle cauliflower with dressing and present the cauliflower whole, with a butter knife and serving spoon for cutting and serving at the table.

 

Main ingredient:
Cauliflower, Fresh herbs, Lemon
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Course:
Side Dish
Occasion:
Dinner Party, Family meals, Easter

More recipes like this...

Spiced cauliflower and feta omelette with chorizo and almond dressing.

Spiced cauliflower and feta omelette with chorizo and almond dressing

Karen Martini
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
142 Reader ratings

10 comments so far

  • Do you take all the leaves off or just a few? The picture shows leaves still on.

    Commenter
    billie
    Location
    Date and time
    July 21, 2015, 8:29AM
  • We cooked this last night and it was delicious; wholly recommend you try. Whole cauliflower cost $2.50 at our local greengrocer. @billie we took the majority of leaves off.

    Commenter
    Peter
    Location
    Melbourne
    Date and time
    July 22, 2015, 8:38AM
  • *paring knife

    Commenter
    BB
    Location
    Date and time
    July 22, 2015, 9:12AM
  • we have been looking similar dishes in India for ages, but a bit different way- boil it for 1-2 mins to make sure its cleaned from within nicely, dry it and then bake it, it also helps in cooking process. Also can serve with a curry sauce on the side if you dont like it dry.

    Commenter
    Gv
    Location
    sydney
    Date and time
    July 22, 2015, 11:32AM
  • I have yet to taste a cauliflower that doesn't taste like "Yuck".
    Just like Brussels Sprouts they would have to be drowned in chocolate to take away that awful taste.

    Commenter
    Johnny B Bad
    Location
    Date and time
    July 22, 2015, 5:01PM
    • That might change if you try roasted cauliflower!

      Commenter
      Yum
      Date and time
      December 22, 2015, 6:56AM
  • Absolutely delicious! Served it for dinner with only some bread as accompaniment, then forgot all about the bread as the cauliflower was so good - roasted to a delicious nuttiness, perfectly set off by the tangy dressing. Than you so much for this recipe - it will be a regular at our place from now on.

    Commenter
    Kitcat
    Location
    Date and time
    July 22, 2015, 7:56PM
  • We had for dinner tonight. My three don't usually eat cauliflower and came back for seconds. They even suggested alternatives for future dinners! Happy Mum!

    Commenter
    BilgolaMum
    Location
    Date and time
    July 23, 2015, 7:15PM
  • This is delicious & so so easy! Agree with Gv, it helps cooking to boil it for 1-2 minutes prior to baking. Still an easy winner even with picking teens.

    Commenter
    Gail
    Location
    Date and time
    August 04, 2015, 8:38AM
  • Has anyone served this dish at room temperature? I want to make this (for the first time) as part of a banquet meal and won't have room in my oven before serving it for about an hour.

    Commenter
    Caren
    Location
    Sydney
    Date and time
    September 04, 2015, 11:00AM

Make a comment

You are logged in as [Logout]

All information entered below may be published.

Error: Please enter your screen name.

Error: Your Screen Name must be less than 255 characters.

Error: Your Location must be less than 255 characters.

Error: Please enter your comment.

Error: Your Message must be less than 300 words.

Post to

You need to have read and accepted the Conditions of Use.

Thank you

Your comment has been submitted for approval.

Comments are moderated and are generally published if they are on-topic and not abusive.

Latest on EK

Win one of two Father's Day Gift Packs

Sign up to receive our new Essential Kids announcements emails for a chance to win.

For the festival lover in all of us

Pre-book & Save 50%. Get your tickets now for Kidtopia Festival. 7-9 October 2016 Parramatta Park, Sydney.

Olympic inspired food to make with kids

The 2016 Olympic games are upon us at last and after all the controversy surrounding Rio de Janeiro's preparations, we think it's time for a little fun.

7 truths every parent should know about kids

Kids think, feel, and act in ways that are usually perfectly normal due to their age.

Sexualisation of girls in the media: How parents can fight back with their own message

Increasing concerns about the sexualisation of girls in the media has prompted a new report addressing the issue.

Canberra: 48 hours of fun for families

If you think you have discovered all that our nation's capital has to offer, it is time to look again.

Ikea Australia to test online store - finally

Fighting for a space in an Ikea carpark and navigating its maze-like stores may soon become a thing of the past.

What your teen really wants you to do when they are having problems

The two questions your teen really wants you to ask when they are struggling.

Open letter from the parent of a child who has autism

a 43-year-old mother of two, whose son was diagnosed with Autism, writes an open letter to any parent going through this experience.

The difference between typical teen behaviour and depression

For many teens, rapid and intense mood changes are often a normal part of their development. But in some cases, emotion and mood can signal depression.

Find After School Care

Search by Postcode

Find a Babysitter

  • Daytime nannies
  • Casual babysitters
  • After-school care
  • Live-in nannies