Indian Cauliflower is a simple side dish made of cauliflower floret covert in Indian Aromatics and grilled in the oven for a healthy, low-carb and powerful side to any Indian food!
Cauliflower has a delicate taste and texture; why not give it an edge and spice it up? The usual dish contains potatoes, but for this version, I skip them. Other versions are with deep-fried battered cauliflower, and since I’m on an eternal diet… I should have cut out the frying, so I did a lighter version. I’m not an “extra spicy” kind of person; I like it in moderation… So I used only 3 tsp of Garam Masala spice (which is spicy), but it’s up to you; add one more of those spoons, and you’ll get a rock n-roll Indian Cauliflower!
The Spice Mix
To ensure the spices envelop the whole veggies correctly, add a tad of water to the mix of spices! This way, you’ll cover the cauliflower more effectively, and the water will help keep them moist in the oven.
Lost in Translation
I always search for new vegetarian dishes or light meals, and Indian food is heaven! The only problem is that the terms they use are often ambiguous to my ears, for example, “What is Shah Jeera?” It’s black cumin seeds. They do use two different types of cumin. Other times, I have no clue about the ingredient… or where they can’t be found. But at the end of the day, we do with what we have, and it ends up pretty good, although, in India, it would be perfect. For any Indian meal, the most important spice you need is the Garam Masala; it’s like a popular mix of spices different from place to place.
Other Indian Side Dishes or Snacks
Indian Cauliflower (Aloo Gobi)
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower (cut into florets)
- 300 g plain yogurt
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 1 lime
- 3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
- 3 tsp Garam Masala
- 1 tsp ginger (paste or finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp ghee (butter or oil)
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon powder
- ½ cumin powder
- ¼ tsp cardamom powder (or 1 pod)
- ¼ tsp kashmir pepper powder (or cayenne pepper *Optional)
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into big florets.
- Mix all the rest of the ingredients with a tablespoon of water and mix with the florets, let marinate for 30 minutes.
- Add a baking sheet to a tray, add the cauliflower, and cook in the oven at 180°C (350F°) for about 25-30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy it with a Lassi (yogurt drink) or warm water to calm down the spice effect, *never with cold water it will close up the pores and keep the spice in… while the warm or hot water dilate the pores and clean up the spices away.
