Imagine infusing a vegan cauliflower steak with some of the most aromatic spices found in curry powder. Then imagine the smells in the kitchen as they roast themselves into delectable pieces of joy. What a salad!
Rinse the uncooked basmati rice to remove the starch. In a small saucepan, add the rice, pinch of salt and water. Place the lid on the saucepan and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. If the rice is not cooked enough after that time, add more water, 1 tbsp at a time until nice and fluffy. Remove from the heat and let it sit with the lid on for a further 10 minutes. Then use a fork to fluff the rice.
Cut 2 thick steaks from the cauliflower. Coat the cauliflower steaks with 1 tsp of olive oil each. On a flat plate, mix 3 tbsp of curry powder with 1 tsp of cumin powder. Place the cauliflower steaks on the mixture and coat all sides as much as possible.Using a basting brush, line the sheet pan with 1 tsp of olive oil. Place the cauliflower steaks on the sheet pan and in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, turn them over and place back in the oven for a further 15 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Blanch ½ cup of peas in boiling water for 1 minute.
Roughly chop coriander to yield ½ cup.
Assembly
In a large mixing bowl, add the basmati rice, peas, coriander, juice of ½ lemon, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Put ¾ of the rice mixture on the plate. Add one cauliflower steak on top to one side.
Add the rest of the rice mixture on the other side of the plate and place the other cauliflower steak on top.
Sprinkle dry shallots on top.
Serve.
Notes
As mentioned above, you can use any curry powder blend you like. If you have never used curry powder before, don’t overthink it and grab the first curry powder you see in the spice section of your supermarket.
Most curry powder blends will already have cumin in it. Feel free to omit the additional tsp if you’re not a fan.
Basmati rice can be replaced with any other rice of your choice.
Dry shallots can be purchased on a container in the Asian aisle at the supermarket.