Description
Sicilian cauliflower salad brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate with crisp roasted cauliflower dancing alongside zesty capers and fresh herbs. Bright citrus notes and rich olive oil create a perfect harmony that transports palates straight to Sicily’s vibrant coastal kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh parsley, chopped
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Trim and separate fresh cauliflower into uniform bite-sized florets, ensuring consistent cooking texture.
- Immerse florets in boiling water for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened but maintaining a crisp bite, then immediately transfer to ice water to halt cooking process.
- Drain cauliflower thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Slice cherry tomatoes into halves, creating vibrant color and texture contrast.
- Finely dice red onion to distribute sharp, pungent flavor throughout the salad.
- Roughly chop Kalamata olives and capers to release their briny essence.
- Chop fresh parsley leaves to enhance the salad’s aromatic profile.
- Whisk extra virgin olive oil with red wine vinegar in a separate mixing bowl, creating a balanced emulsified dressing.
- Incorporate dried oregano, minced garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the vinaigrette.
- Gently fold all prepared vegetables together in a large serving bowl.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad, tossing delicately to ensure even coating.
- Allow salad to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and intensify.
- Serve chilled or at ambient temperature as a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired side dish.
Notes
- Ensure cauliflower maintains a crisp texture by not overcooking during steaming or blanching, which keeps the salad’s vibrant freshness.
- Chop vegetables uniformly to create balanced bites and enhance overall presentation of the Mediterranean-inspired dish.
- Marinate the salad longer than 15 minutes for deeper flavor infusion, allowing herbs and vinegar to fully penetrate ingredients.
- Customize the recipe by adding protein like grilled chicken or feta cheese for a more substantial meal, making it adaptable to different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg