As a side dish or light lunch, this turmeric cauliflower is roasted in whole steak slices an served with an easy avocado-yogurt sauce. A bright, flavorful, veggie meal.
Last weekend I was trying to have a little fun with our lunch (read: I made a special trip to the grocery store, then I made a huge mess in the kitchen, and then I took photos, and then we could finally eat. Thank goodness my husband is patient) 
I love a goddess/buddha/wellness/whathaveyou bowl as much as the next person (see: so many of my past recipes); but it’s nice to depart from the template every once in a while!
I roasted cauliflower steaks after rubbing them with salt, olive oil and turmeric, and served them atop my current favorite kitchen secret weapon: an easy yogurt sauce made in a blender or food processor full of herbs, avocado, jalapeño and more. Dave and I each ate two slices of roasted cauliflower – it was so good! And it was a light lunch that was not light on flavor.
If you are thinking you’d like a little more rib-stickiness to this meal, I’d add a cup of cooked whole grains – barley, quinoa or freekeh would be delish. Trust me, you’ll have enough sauce, if you can stop from eating it with a spoon!
Click here for the avocado sauce recipe.
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Turmeric Cauliflower and Creamy Avocado-Yogurt Sauce
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
Description
This turmeric cauliflower dish features roasted cauliflower steaks served with a creamy avocado-yogurt sauce, making for a bright and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 whole head cauliflower, cut into thick steaks / slices
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Avocado-Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 jalapeño, seeded (leave seeds in for more heat)
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
- 2-4 tbsp cold water (to thin to a drizzleable consistency)
To Serve:
- 2 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp chopped pistachios
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the turmeric, salt, and olive oil. Add the cauliflower slices and toss until well coated.
- Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer on a baking sheet. Scatter the cherry tomatoes around the cauliflower.
- Roast for 25–30 minutes, until the cauliflower is golden brown and tender and the tomatoes are blistered.
- While the cauliflower roasts, make the avocado-yogurt sauce: place the avocado, yogurt, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until very smooth. Add cold water a tablespoon at a time to reach a pourable, drizzleable consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Spoon a generous pool of avocado-yogurt sauce onto each plate. Top with the roasted cauliflower and tomatoes. Scatter with crumbled feta, pistachios, and cilantro.
Notes
If you want to bulk this into a full meal, spoon everything over a cup of cooked barley, quinoa, or freekeh — there will be plenty of sauce. Omit the jalapeño or remove the seeds for a milder sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4 grams
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 grams
- Carbohydrates: 15 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Protein: 5 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different oil instead of olive oil for roasting the cauliflower?
Yes, you can substitute olive oil with avocado oil or coconut oil for roasting the cauliflower steaks.
What can I use if I don’t have fresh herbs for the avocado-yogurt sauce?
If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs, but reduce the amount to about one-third since dried herbs are more concentrated.
How can I adjust the heat level in the avocado-yogurt sauce?
To adjust the heat level, you can add more jalapeño for extra spice or omit it entirely if you prefer a milder sauce.
