I’m kinda obsessed with cauliflower recently.

For some reason, white vegetables get such a bad rap. I’m not sure when that started but I’m not a big fan ofย discriminatingย against anything that grows in the ground. I think cauliflower in particular gets lumped in with white potatoes. And I think the only problem with white potatoes is that the American diet is a little too focused on them. In a wide and varied diet, I think all veggies should have a placeโ€”regardless of color.

From one serving of cauliflower, you get 85% of your daily vitamin C and 20% of your vitamin K intake. We don’t hear a lot about vitamin K but it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory. Studies show that many of the major life-threateningย diseases (cancer, heart disease, etc.) can be traced back to inflammation in the cells. Gettingย adequateย amountsย of vitamin K can help put a stop to that.

Cauliflower is also a digestive rockstar. For 200 calories worth of cauliflower, you get half your daily value of dietary fiber. Which helps, you know, keep things moving. And beyond that, cauliflower has almost as muchย glucosinolate per serving as kale. Glucosinolate helps protect our cells from damage and helps protect the lining of our stomach andย intestinesย to help make digestion easier.

You should eat more cauliflower. And this salad can help you do it.

It’s actually remarkably simple. It’s just your basic caprese salad (basil, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes) tossed with some roasted cauliflower and topped with a hefty drizzle of good olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Even though it’s simple, there is something really special about the combination. When roasted, cauliflower becomes sweet andย caramelizedย and paired with the sweet tomatoes and creamy mozzarella, you’ve got one rock-star of a dish.

Roasted Cauliflower Caprese Salad

Roasted Cauliflower Caprese Salad

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Even though it's simple, there is something really special about the combination. When roasted, cauliflower becomes sweet andย caramelizedย and paired with the sweet tomatoes and creamy mozzarella, you've got one rock-star of a dish.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 large head cauliflower, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves, chiffonade
  • 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (ciliegine-size balls)
  • Olive oil and balsamic vinegar, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, spread out cauliflower pieces in one layer. Drizzle with tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until cauliflower is softened and browned.
  2. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, basil leaves, and mozzarella in a mixing bowl and toss. Add in roasted cauliflower and toss to combine.
  3. To serve, spoon onto plate, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 229Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 361mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 12g

At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.

What’s your favorite way to eat cauliflower?

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18 Comments

  1. Cauliflower is my favorite vegetable. Try my cauliflower “vichysoisse.” It’s creamy with no cream. Just boil together cauliflower with some leeks and a potato (I throw in celery if I have it.) Puree it in a blender (don’t forget the nutmeg and s&p) and chill. So refreshing and delicious. I use chicken stock, but I guess veg stock or water would do. Since you’ve been so good, top it with a little sour cream or Mexican crema and toasted pepita seeds. I could eat it all day, and I do!

  2. I think my favorite way to eat cauliflower with a little nutmeg and sea salt sprinkled on it, then roasted. But that’s a really tough call, because I love it pretty much every way you can prepare it (though I wouldn’t choose to just eat it steamed with nothing on it…)

  3. I’m still trying to find my favorite way to eat it. I’ve tried cauliflower “rice”, roasting it, steaming it, and even a cake made with it. It’s all okay, but I can never go through a whole head because I get bored of it. I’m not giving up, though!

    1. We make mashed cauliflower a TON in our house, too! It’s one of our favorite ways to eat it. Just like mashed potatoes!

  4. I love hearty salads like this in the summer time… they are so easy to throw together and yet so satisfying. Definitely trying this!

    1. They are, aren’t they? I’m not a huge fan of standard lettuce and veggie salads, but salads like this I could eat everyday!

  5. You just combined 2 of my favorite things! I can’t wait to try this. Will make a great quick meal on a school night.

    1. Definitely! And the leftovers rock, too. We’ve been eating on it for days now and it keeps getting better!

  6. I cannot wait to try this! I still have half a head left from the cauliflower bake recipe you posted a while ago, which was awesome I might add! Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚