Monday, November 18, 2013

Roasted Cauliflower with Rosemary, Apples and Pecans

I never thought we would gobble up cauliflower. Seriously. I've eaten it all my life. My mother steamed it and served it with a browned butter breadcrumb mixture. When we groaned about it, she said she didn't like it much, either, but it was good for us. And I still buy it and cook it – because it's good for us.


I've been reading about roasted cauliflower. Seems like it's turning up everywhere and getting high praise. I don't know about you, but between the on-line newsletters, the cooking magazines, and TV shows, sometimes I can't find the recipes that I seem to remember. I don't think I actually read the recipe, only the title – Roasted Cauliflower with Apples and Pecans. So I made up my own recipe, and let me just say that I never thought I'd see the day when I didn't have any leftover cauliflower. We did everything except lick the plate.


This is a super easy recipe. Ideal for beginner cooks. You can fudge a little on the measurements, and I bet it will turn out every bit as good. It's a one pan dish, too. Easy, healthy, and delicious? Can it be? Yup. The apples lend a sweet note that blends so nicely with the Kosher salt. We'll be making this again, for sure!


I used a roasting pan, but any rimmed baking sheet would do.


Krista's Roasted Cauliflower with Rosemary, Apples and Pecans


1 head of cauliflower
3 tablespoons olive oil
1-2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
generous 1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 medium apple

Preheat oven to 400.

Break or cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces and place in a roasting pan. Drizzle with the olive oil and mix a few times to spread the oil around. Sprinkle with the rosemary and salt. Mix again.


Roast in oven for 10 minutes. Turn the cauliflower over. Roast another 10 minutes. Meanwhile, peel the apple, cut into thin slices and cut the slices in half. Add the pecans and the apple to the cauliflower mixture and roast another 10 minutes.



My dogs and cats are still looking for more MURDER, SHE BARKED street crew members. Leave a comment today and you could win a bandana for one of your cuties!

Daryl's adorable puppy, Sparky!
Lucy's lovely Tonka!


Sunny says cats can join, too! Leave a comment!

23 comments:

  1. I've learned to like cauliflower thanks to my son in law, David. But admit I prefer it raw. However, I may try this for our Thanksgiving meal. Harley, Lisa Taylor's dog wants to be a Murder she Barked Street crew member.

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    1. I've always like cauliflower better raw, too. Maybe steaming it overcooks it? Good luck to Harley!

      ~Krista

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  2. LOL, I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't remember where she read a recipe! This one sounds delicious and I'm forwarding it to my Paleo son. He has done so well eating Paleo - losing 35+ pounds. I'm going to try it too; I've roasted cauliflower before and it's good, but the addition of apples and pecans sounds wonderful.

    My doggies would still like to be a Murder She Barked street crew member.

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    1. Wow. 35 pounds is a lot of weight! Good for him.

      And good luck to your doggies!

      ~Krista

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  3. My theory is, apples make everything better! Roasting must give the cauliflower an interesting flavor too.

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    1. Seems like almost everything is better roasted. And seriously, is there anything that doesn't go with apples?

      ~Krista

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  4. That sounds absolutely wonderful, Krista. Thanks for sharing your invention! I will be trying this very soon, and predict instant cauliflower love.

    We have enjoyed another roasted cauliflower recipe that involves mushrooms, shallots, and lemon juice. Let me know if you'd like that one to add to your repertoire. It's also a dish that makes you want to lick the pan.

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    1. Karen, could you email me the recipe? It sounds terrific! krista at kristadavis dot com I'm looking forward to trying it.

      ~Krista

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  5. We recently discovered roasted cauliflower--an Ina Garten recipe where it's combined with toasted pine nuts and lemon juice. This looks great and the sweetness from the apples will appeal to my husband. I've also done cauliflower cooked with leeks then pureed with some cream. Low carb mashed potatoes! Reg would love to sport a street team bandana.

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    1. Both of those sound great! Thank Reg for helping us out!

      ~Krista

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  6. We love roasted cauliflower and on our low-carb regime, it has made life better. I am making this wonderful recipe tonight.

    Of course, Daisy and Lily are very jealous of your photogenic crew and their bandanas!

    XOXO

    MJ

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    1. I hope you like it as much as we did, Mary Jane. Let me know.

      Poor Daisy and Lily! They should email me their address!

      ~Krista

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  7. Thanks, Krista, for this inspiration. We do roasted califlower with garlic, but after seeing this wonderful combination of autumn flavors we're going to branch out and give this dish a try. Apples and pecans, who knew? This sounds like a great Thanksgiving recipe, too, so we'll do it twice.

    ~ Cleo

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    1. I think it sounds like a winner for Thanksgiving, too. So fresh and different.

      ~Krista

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  8. I've never considered roasted cauliflower, but what a lovely and easy recipe. perfect for additional "non-color" at the holidays. :)

    Love the street crew. Hope it's growing! Sparky really does love his bandanna. He's taking it everywhere with him. Okay, dragging it everywhere. LOL What doesn't a puppy chew??

    Daryl / Avery

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    1. LOL! Gotta love Sparky. He's so adorable!

      I think you'll like this recipe. Roasting cauliflower is so quick and easy!

      ~Krista

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  9. We're addicted to roasted cauliflower at our house--before that, I only really enjoyed cauliflower in Indian dishes, but now I'm obsessed! I think this recipe would be a wonderful addition to my Thanksgiving table. Thanks, Krista!

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    1. I think we might be addicted now, too, Wendy. It's really good!

      ~Krista

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  10. Krista, I have to admit the combination sounded odd at first read, but I trust you when you say it's delish! Will have to try this...

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    1. LOL! Do you trust me? Seriously, we thought it was delicious. Try it and let me know what you think!

      ~Krista

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  11. Right now my brain and my taste buds are at odds with each other. My brain is saying this is going to be a train wreck of flavors and my taste buds are saying go for it; we like everything in there. I can't wait to try this.

    It reminds me of the year my sister and I roasted the Brussels sprouts and big red grapes with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. There was some trepidation, but we emptied the bowl.

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    1. Sometimes I watch TV shows and wonder what they could be thinking to throw such odd things together. This one turned out pretty well. Maybe because, as Sheila mentioned, apples go with everything.

      I love your expression "train wreck of flavors"! I've eaten a few of those!

      ~Krista

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