1 large head of cauliflower
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 head of garlic
2 Tbsp raw pine nuts
1 tsp avocado, grapeseed or olive oil
¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
¼ cup tahini
3 Tbsp lemon juice
¼ tsp salt
3-4 Tbsp water
INSTRUCTIONS
1.Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2.Remove cauliflower leaves and trim the stem, leaving the head intact. Place the cauliflower on its side on a cutting board. Cut it in half from top to bottom, slice each half in one-inch thick steaks (some florets might come loose. Don’t discard them: You can roast them with the steaks).
3.Carefully brush each side of the cauliflower steaks with the olive oil and season with salt. Place the cauliflower steaks (and florets if any) on the lined baking sheet.
4.Cut the bottom of the head of garlic (part of the garlic cloves will be exposed; click here for step by step photos). Drizzle it with one teaspoon of olive oil, wrap it with tin foil and place on the baking sheet with the cauliflower.
5.Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender.
6.While the cauliflower cooks, prepare the pine nuts. Heat one teaspoon of oil in a nonstick skillet. Add pine nuts and saute over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, tossing often (pay close attention, they can burn very easily!). Set aside.
7.To prepare the tahini, whisk together tahini, salt and lemon juice in a small bowl until it thickens. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time and mix until well incorporated (for a thinner sauce you can add more water).
8 .Once the garlic head is roasted and cool enough to handle, squeeze the cloves into the tahini sauce and whisk until creamy.
9.Refrigerate until ready to use. See Note 1.
10.Before serving, spoon the tahini sauce on the bottom of a serving plate. Place the cauliflower steaks on top, sprinkle with parsley and toasted pine nuts.
