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    Home » Recipes » Main Meal Salad Recipes

    Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini

    Published: Feb 10, 2020 · Modified: May 17, 2021 by The Devil Wears Salad

    Jump to Recipe
    Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini
    Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini
     

    Hearty and wholesome. Two words not normally used to describe a salad. But this Purple Cauliflower Salad is exactly that due to its creaminess, roasted undertones and nutty flavours.

    Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini

    Why I Love Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini

    I have to admit that when I make a purple cauliflower salad, it’s usually because I simply can’t go past its colour.

    When I’m grocery shopping either at the farmers market or at my local supermarket and I see a head of cauliflower that is so vibrant in its purple hues, I get sucked in.

    I can literally picture it in my head what the salad would look like and I get excited (maybe I should get out more!).

    I always associate roasted cauliflower with a creamy dressing. I find that it’s such a match made in heaven, just like my Pomegranate Cauliflower Salad with Chestnuts.

    Tahini dressing recipe for this salad was the perfect accompaniment as I love the flavours of the sesame paste with the nutty cauliflower.

    I do also love it because it’s an easy salad for parties. It is transportable and a salad I can put together at a friend’s house without making too much mess.

    What is Purple Cauliflower?

    Purple cauliflower is simply cauliflower that’s purple! If you were looking for an answer of great substance or an epiphany of sorts, sorry to disappoint you! LOL!

    The colour is caused by the presence of an antioxidant called anthocyanins, which can also be found in red cabbage, blackberries, red wine and blueberries. The depth of the colour varies from pale pastel to deep purple.

    The texture of the purple cauliflower is the same as a regular cauliflower. Some people have said that in terms of flavour, the purple cauliflower is slightly sweeter and nuttier. From my point of view, the tastes are the same and I don’t detect a real difference.

    Is Purple Cauliflower A GMO Vegetable?

    You would be forgiven for thinking so considering it has only really been around farmers markets in the last 10 years and in mainstream supermarkets perhaps in the last year or two.

    Thankfully, purple cauliflower is not genetically modified nor is it dyed or painted. These naturally occurring flavonoid pigments make it safe to eat and for foodies like me, a glorious gift from nature!

    How to Buy the Best Purple Cauliflower?

    As you would with a regular cauliflower, you’re looking for fresh and vibrant leaves as wilted leaves means that the cauliflower is not as young and fresh.

    The florets should be well packed and the whole head should feel heavy. Do also make sure the florets are free of dark spots and blemishes.

    Note that the intensity of the purple hue is irrelevant to whether the cauliflower is fresh or not.

    Purple Cauliflower whole and florets

    What is Tahini?

    Tahini has made somewhat of an explosive entry into the Australian market and is becoming increasingly ubiquitous. Yet most people I know have never really tried it nor is it a staple in their pantries just yet.

    Tahini is a paste made up of ground-up sesame paste. It has in fact been around for a very long time and a prevalent ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

    Most of you don’t realise it but you have probably been eating tahini for a very long time.

    Without tahini, there’s no hummus or baba ganoush. The ground up or mashed chickpeas or eggplants are all mixed with tahini to give you the dips you have loved for the longest time.

    My partner is not a massive fan of tahini but considers himself a hummus connoisseur. Go figure!

    Is Tahini Dairy Free?

    Yup! It sure is! Tahini is quite creamy and one would have assumed it had dairy through it. It is also vegan, gluten free and great for those following a strict plant-based lifestyle.

    And for those of you who can’t have peanut butter, this is a fantastic alternative not only in flavour but also in consistency.

    Different Types of Tahini

    There are 2 different types of tahini you can buy (or make if you’re so inclined). You can get tahini made from either unhulled or hulled sesame seeds.

    Tahini made from unhulled seeds is darker in colour with a stronger, slightly bitter taste. It is a healthier version of tahini as the husks are packed with nutrients.

    You can also purchase tahini that is either roasted or raw. Think of it like any nut you would buy. Whilst the roasted versions are considered to be tastier, raw tahini is of course better for you.

    It’s important to always buy good tahini and in this instant, it does actually make a difference. Bad tahini is astringent, dry and sometimes chalky. You want tahini which is silky, rich and smooth.

    The only way for you to determine whether you may prefer unhulled to hulled sesame seeds or roasted versus raw, is you’re going to have to try them until you find the type that suits your palate.

    If you love tahini dressings, do check out Roast Pumpkin Salad with Israeli Couscous and Apple and Roasted Baby Cauliflower Spiced Chickpeas Beetroot Tahini.

    How to Make Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini

    How to Prepare the Purple Cauliflower

    Cut the purple cauliflower into florets. In a medium sized mixing bowl, coat the cauliflower with 1 tbsp of olive oil and salt.

    Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the purple cauliflower on the baking tray and put in the oven at 200 C or 400 F for 8 minutes.

    After that time, remove from the oven and turn the florets so they get an even roasting throughout. Place it back in the oven for a further 8 minutes.

    When it’s done, remove from the oven and set aside to cool for at least 10 minutes.

    How To Prepare The Other Ingredients

    Whilst the purple cauliflower is in the oven, toast almond flakes in a small fry pan on medium heat. Toast for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. I like to give it a toss here and there as they can brown unevenly otherwise.

    Watch it for the whole time as the flakes are thin and can go from white to burnt before you know it. I love toasting sliced almonds as the aroma is so good!

    For the onion, cut them into thin slices. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil into a fry pan and caramelise on medium to high heat for about 6 minutes or until golden brown.

    Sliced red onions and roasted shaved almonds

    With the herbs, just hand tear them as we’re going for the rustic look and essentially larger pieces. We need enough to parsley and coriander to yield ½ a cup each.

    Coriander Cilantro

    How To Make Lemon Mustard Tahini Dressing

    Crush the garlic clove with the back of a knife to release its flavours. We are only infusing the dressing and not actually consuming the garlic.

    In a small mixing bowl, mix tahini, Dijon mustard, honey, crushed garlic, the juice of ½ a lemon and water until well combined.

    How to Assemble Purple Cauliflower Salad

    Discard the crushed garlic clove. Smear the bottom of the flat serving platter or plate with the lemon mustard tahini dressing.

    Then put the caramelised onions and ½ the toasted almond flakes on top. Spread it out evenly.

    Mix the parsley and coriander with the roasted purple cauliflower florets. Then place them evenly on top of the onions.

    Sprinkle the rest of the almond flakes as a garnish. Season with salt and pepper.

    Essentially, we don’t want to mix the tahini dressing through the cauliflower as it makes the whole salad look gluggy and also takes away from the colour of the purple cauliflower.

    This hearty salad is just so gorgeous and I love it because it’s not a normal looking salad. If you told me years ago that I’d make a salad that was purple and brown, I wouldn’t have been convinced.

    The flavours are so wholesome. Nutty, creamy, caramelised and roasted flavours work extremely well together. This is an easy salad for parties with big numbers because it’s hearty and also simple enough to just increase the portion sizes.

    That’s all!

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    Easy Salad Dressing Recipes

    Salad dressings are incredibly easy to make in the comfort of your own home. This way you can control the ingredients to suit your palate and you can make the exact portion you need for that one meal. Check out our collection!

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    Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini

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    Recipe

    Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini
    Print Recipe
    5 from 38 votes

    Purple Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Mustard Tahini

    Hearty and wholesome. Two words not normally used to describe a salad. But this Purple Cauliflower Salad is exactly that due to its creaminess, roasted undertones and nutty flavours.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: International
    Dietary: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Plant-Based, Vegetarian
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 317.24kcal
    Author: Amy Chung

    Ingredients

    Salad

    • 1 purple cauliflower
    • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
    • ½ cup almond flakes
    • 1 red onion
    • ½ cup flat leaf parsley
    • ½ cup coriander
    • salt, to taste
    • pepper, to taste

    Salad Dressing

    • 4 tbsp tahini, hulled
    • 3 tsp Dijon mustard, dijon
    • 1 tsp honey
    • 1 garlic clove
    • ½ lemon, juiced
    • ¼ cup water

    Click on the toggle below for conversion to US Cooking Units.

    Instructions

    Salad

    • Cut purple cauliflower into small florets and place in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt to taste and mix it through well.
    • Put baking paper on a baking tray. Place cauliflower on the baking tray and place in the oven at 200°C or 400°F for 8 minutes. Remove tray and turn purple cauliflower florets over. Place it back in the oven for a further 8 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
    • Toast almond flakes in a small fry pan on medium heat. No oil required. Toast for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Cut onions into thin slices. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil into a fry pan and caramelise on medium to high heat for about 6 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Hand tear flat leaf parsley to yield ½ cup.
    • Hand tear coriander to yield ½ cup.

    Salad Dressing

    • Crush garlic with the back of a knife.
    • In a small mixing bowl, mix tahini, Dijon mustard, honey, crushed garlic, the juice of ½ a lemon and water until well combined.

    Assembly

    • Discard the crushed garlic clove.
    • Smear the bottom of the flat serving platter or plate with the lemon mustard tahini dressing.
    • Then put the caramelised onions and ½ the toasted almond flakes on top. Spread it out evenly.
    • Mix the parsley and coriander with the roasted purple cauliflower florets. Then place them evenly on top of the onions.
    • Sprinkle the rest of the almond flakes as a garnish.
    • Season with salt and pepper.

    Notes

    • If you’re not able to find purple cauliflower, the normal white cauliflower is of course more than suitable.
    • You can substitute almond flakes with pine nuts or crushed pistachio kernels.
    • If you like your dressing thicker or thinner, adjust how much water you’re adding to the dressing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 317.24kcal | Carbohydrates: 35.05g | Protein: 15.65g | Fat: 17.33g | Saturated Fat: 1.86g | Sodium: 222.26mg | Potassium: 2014.92mg | Fiber: 9.65g | Sugar: 8.49g | Vitamin A: 2377.57IU | Vitamin C: 256.91mg | Calcium: 477.08mg | Iron: 14.99mg

    *Disclaimer: Nutritional information provided is an estimate only and generated by an online calculator.

    Tried this recipe? We’d Love To See It!Mention @thedevilwearssalad or tag #thedevilwearssalad!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Farrukh Aziz

      November 16, 2020 at 10:20 pm

      5 stars
      Fantastic Cauliflower Salad, looks so delicious and colorful! I am loving the flavors and textures you have added here. I am trying this tomorrow, got my hands on purple cauliflower today from local market. Thank you for sharing this lovely salad! 🙂

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        November 23, 2020 at 12:38 pm

        That’s awesome you managed to get some purple cauliflower! Enjoy the salad.

        Reply
    2. Sam

      November 16, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      Wow this salad looks amazing and so colourful. I love the flavours that you have put together, such a great pairing of ingredients. Can’t wait to try this!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        November 23, 2020 at 12:37 pm

        Thanks Sam! The purple cauliflower sure is pretty!

        Reply
    3. Neha

      November 16, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      This salad is exactly how my weekday meals look like these days. Thanks for this wonderful recipe, I am going to try it for my lunch tomorrow!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        November 23, 2020 at 12:36 pm

        You eat like this during the weekdays? We’re coming to your house!

        Reply
    4. Nicole Washington

      November 16, 2020 at 12:18 pm

      I don’t know if I have seen purple cauliflower. What a great way to put this in a salad.

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        November 23, 2020 at 12:36 pm

        They do usually surface in the cooler months as that’s how it gets that colour. But normal cauliflower is more than ok to use. It won’t change the flavours.

        Reply
    5. Aleta

      November 16, 2020 at 3:35 am

      5 stars
      Not only gorgeous, this salad is loaded with delicious textures and oh my, that dressing? Addicting!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        November 23, 2020 at 12:35 pm

        Thank you! That dressing is pretty good!

        Reply
    6. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

      November 15, 2020 at 3:59 pm

      5 stars
      Mmm… I think I just heard my tummy growl. lol. Thank you for making me hungry!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        November 23, 2020 at 12:35 pm

        Hahaha love it!

        Reply
    7. HEATHER PERINE

      November 14, 2020 at 6:57 am

      5 stars
      I’ve been trying to get my hands on some purple cauliflower for some time but can never find any! But finally lucked out and get some last week – so I made this and it was SO good!! Dressing was fantastic. I would eat that with a spoon 🙂

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        November 23, 2020 at 12:25 pm

        Oh yay! Glad you managed to find some. Weren’t they just so gorgeous? And yes, we love that dressing too!

        Reply
    8. Sharon

      November 11, 2020 at 3:43 am

      5 stars
      I love picking up the different colored cauliflower at the local farmers market but just steaming it can be boring, so I was excited to find this delicious recipe.

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        November 11, 2020 at 1:08 pm

        They look so stunning at the farmer’s markets don’t they? This is a great recipe and really delicious. We have made it many times and it’s still a winner. Enjoy!

        Reply
    9. Jaimie

      May 04, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      This salad looks stunning! I love the combination of cauliflower and tahini, but I’ve never thought to put them together in a salad. Can’t wait to try 🙂

      Reply
    10. Renee Lim

      April 29, 2020 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      This is my absolute favourite! Made this quite a few times and received very positive feedback- on the taste and the look! Thank you for sharing ladies

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        May 12, 2020 at 2:42 pm

        Woohoo! That’s so good to hear these positive reviews. Love knowing that the salad made you look good!

        Reply
    11. Andrew Bales

      April 29, 2020 at 12:20 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for last night’s dinner. WOW! The dressing! Found the purple cauliflower from our local supermarket too.

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        May 12, 2020 at 2:40 pm

        So glad you found the purple cauliflower! Yup, they are coming back in season as the weather gets cooler. Glad you liked the dressing too!

        Reply

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