Roasted Cauliflower With Lemon Lentil (Printable)

Caramelized cauliflower with zesty lemon lentils and creamy cumin-tahini yogurt

# What You’ll Need:

→ Roasted Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Lemon Lentils

06 - 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
07 - 3 cups water
08 - 1 bay leaf
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
13 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

→ Cumin Tahini Yogurt

14 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or dairy-free alternative
15 - 2 tablespoons tahini
16 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
17 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
18 - 1 garlic clove, finely grated
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnish

20 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
21 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
22 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and tender.
04 - Combine lentils, water, bay leaf, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 18 to 20 minutes until lentils are tender but retain their shape. Drain and discard bay leaf.
05 - While lentils are still warm, stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, diced red onion, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
06 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, cumin, grated garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
07 - Spread lemon lentils over a serving platter. Arrange roasted cauliflower on top. Drizzle generously with cumin tahini yogurt sauce.
08 - Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and fresh herbs. Serve with lemon wedges, either warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Those caramelized cauliflower edges are where all the magic happens, and they're impossibly easy to achieve.
  • The tahini yogurt is creamy enough to feel indulgent while actually being good for your body.
  • You can have this entire meal ready in under an hour, yet it tastes like you've been cooking all day.
02 -
  • Don't drain the lentils the moment they're tender—let them sit for 30 seconds so they absorb the last bit of flavor from the cooking liquid.
  • The tahini sauce will thicken as it sits, so whisk in a splash of water or lemon juice if it becomes too thick before serving.
03 -
  • If your tahini seems thick or separated, stir it thoroughly before measuring—quality matters, and the better the tahini, the silkier your sauce will be.
  • The secret to showstopping roasted cauliflower is not stirring it too often; let each side get golden before turning, and you'll get those caramelized, almost nutty edges.
Go back