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    Profusion Curry » Seasonal and Holiday Recipes

    Whole Roasted Cauliflower - Tandoori Gobhi

    Published: Nov 23, 2024 · Modified: Nov 23, 2024 by Prajakta Sukhatme · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest image with text overlay showing big head of roasted spiced cauliflower.

    Beautifully crusted on the outside and moist-tender inside, this gorgeous preparation of whole spicy cauliflower will make a star centerpiece at any dinner party. This Whole30, Keto-friendly and Vegan dish is easy to make and guaranteed to impress your guests!

    Whole roasted cauliflower is guaranteed to impress everyone who eats it. It has a superb meaty texture. So even your carnivore friends will enjoy it.

    This is my favorite Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe. It looks festive and tastes amazing. Plus it is suitable for vegan and gluten free guests. Use our Thanksgiving Recipe Collection for a stress-free and enjoyable Thanksgiving Hosting.

    Ingredients

    • Cauliflower : 1 medium sized Cauliflower head - clean and rinse well
    • Seasoning Mix :  Olive Oil ; Minced Ginger, Minced Garlic , Red Chili Powder ( adjust to taste ) Turmeric Powder, Garam Masala Powder , Dry Mint Leaves (rub them lightly on your palm to release aroma)
    • Rice flour or almond flour (for keto option)
    • 1 Lemon juiced
    • To garnish : Fresh mint leaves, lime wedges and green onions
    Cauliflower Whole Roasted Recipe ProfusionCurry

    Basic Steps Overview

    Rinse the whole cauliflower under cold water and pat dry with paper towel. You’ll need to carefully trim the outer leaves. If necessary, cut the stem. It can thus flush with the rest of the head so your cauliflower sits straight on its own.

    Make sure not to cut through the core. It will end up breaking up the florets and your cauliflower would completely fall apart. You want it to look like a nice little dome!

    💡This recipe is divided into two main steps : First is to steam cauliflower. Use either Instant Pot or Stove Top method to do this. Second step is to broil or air fry the marinated cauliflower to get the golden crust. Use either oven or air fryer to do this.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Instant Pot Instructions : Put 1 cup of water in the InstantPot steel container. Select SAUTE on High and bring water to a boil. Cancel Sauté. In the meantime, prepare cauliflower by rinsing under cold water and cut the outer leaves. Place it on the trivet.

    Carefully insert the trivet in the boiling water. Close the lid . Set the valve to SEALING. Choose Steam mode and select 1 min. Once IP done cooking , wait for 3-5 minutes and release leftover pressure. Lift the trivet handle and take the cauliflower out very gently and carefully. Let it cool down.

    or

    Stove Top Instructions : Bring 3 cups of water in stockpot to roaring boil. Put the whole cauliflower on the steamer basket. Let it steam covered for 5 mins.

    Check the tenderness by simply pressing a fork. It should be firm but tender. Turn off the heat and remove the whole cauliflower from steamer basket. Let it cool down.

    Prepare Marinade : Meanwhile combine all ingredients under marinade and whisk them well. Add 1 tablespoon of water to make it smooth paste.

    Carefully move the cauliflower to the oven proof sheet. I prefer to use cast iron skillet. Gently slather the marinade paste to entire cauliflower. Use your fingers to spread it evenly and completely. Alternatively you can use the pastry brush.

    Broil In oven: Set the oven to broil setting. Place the skillet of cauliflower under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until its top gets beautifully golden brown.

    💡💡I highly recommend you put a timer and be nearby watching the oven/ broiler for this step as things can burn very quickly in broiler. Once it's turned crisp golden brown, turn off the oven and carefully take the skillet out.

    or

    If you want to use Air Fryer : Set the air Fryer at 375 Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Move the marinated cauliflower on the air fryer basket. Air Fry it till you get golden brown crust all over.

    Serve : Carefully transfer the cooked cauliflower to a serving platter and garnish with a handful of fresh mint leaves, lime wedges. A little drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil on top is also great. Enjoy your beautiful, delicious creation.

    Cauliflower Whole Roasted Recipe ProfusionCurry

    Pro Tips

    • You can blanch the cauliflower in the salty water. However, to reduce excessive salt, I prefer to steam it instead.
    • The steamed whole cauliflower is quiet ready to take on seasoning of your choice. You can season it to whatever you prefer. I introduced it the Indian ( Masala Gobi) spiced style.
    • You can choose fresh herbs, Italian seasoning mix or even Greek or Mediterranean spice blends. We would love to hear how you spiced yours. Leave us a comment and do let us know.
    Cauliflower Whole Roasted Recipe ProfusionCurry

    If you’ve never tried a Whole Roasted Cauliflower before, you have to do it, right now ! Perfect Thanksgiving or summer BBQ recipe, this is a picture perfect, unique recipe. My kids call it Instagram Style Presentation ! I am confident that you’ll be completely sold on it once you make it.

    Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    • No-Drain Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    • Cranberry Sauce with Ginger and Orange
    • Creamed Spinach
    • Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Homestyle Creamed Corn
    • Apple Ginger Chutney
    • Cornbread with Jalapeno and sweet Corn

      ★ If you make this VEGAN WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER RECIPE do let us know how you like it by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.

      Cauliflower Whole Roasted Recipe ProfusionCurry

      📖 Recipe

      Whole Roasted Cauliflower served on black cast iron skillet with mint, lemon wedges and green onion garnish.

      Whole Roasted Cauliflower - Tandoori Gobhi

      Prajakta Sukhatme
      Whole Roasted Cauliflower is beautifully crusted on the outside and moist-tender inside. This gorgeous preparation of whole spicy cauliflower will make a star centerpiece at any dinner party. 
      4.84 from 18 votes
      Print Recipe Pin Recipe
      Prep Time 10 minutes mins
      Cook Time 30 minutes mins
      Resting Time 10 minutes mins
      Total Time 50 minutes mins
      Course dinner
      Cuisine American
      Servings 6
      Calories 194 kcal

      Equipment

      • Instant Pot
      • Air Fryer

      Ingredients
        

      • 1 Cauliflower head medium size clean & rinse well

      Seasoning / Marinade

      • 3 tablespoons Oilve Oil Divided ( use 2 tablespoon in marinade and 1 tablespoon for drizzle on top)
      • 1 inch Ginger minced
      • 2 cloves garlic minced
      • ½ teaspoon Red Chili Powder adjust to taste
      • ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
      • 1 Tablespoon garam masala adjust to taste
      • 1 Tablespoon dried and crushed mint leaves
      • 1 Tablespoon rice flour or almond flour for keto version
      • 1 Lemon juiced
      • Salt

      Optional Garnishes

      • Fresh mint leaves, lime wedges and green onions

      Instructions
       

      If you want to use Instant Pot to steam the cauliflower

      • Put 1 cup of water in the InstantPot steel container. Select SAUTE on High and bring water to a boil. Cancel Sauté. In the meantime, prepare cauliflower by rinsing under cold water and cut the outer leaves. Place it on the trivet.
      • Carefully insert the trivet in the boiling water. Close the lid . Set the valve to SEALING. Choose Steam mode and select 1 min. Once IP done cooking , wait for 3-5 minutes and release leftover pressure. Lift the trivet handle and take the cauliflower out very gently and carefully. Let it cool down.

      If you want to steam the cauliflower on stove top

      • Bring 3 cups of water in stockpot to roaring boil. Put the whole cauliflower on the steamer basket. Let it steam covered for 5 mins.
      • Check the tenderness by simply pressing a fork. It should be firm but tender. Turn off the heat and remove the whole cauliflower from steamer basket. Let it cool down.

      Prepare Marinade

      • Combine all ingredients under marinade and whisk them well. Add 1 tablespoon of water to make it smooth paste.
      • Carefully move the cauliflower to the oven proof sheet. I prefer to use cast iron skillet. Gently slather the marinade paste to entire cauliflower. Use your fingers to spread it evenly and completely. Alternatively you can use the pastry brush. Drizzle some olive oil on the top.

      Broil in the oven

      • Set the oven to broil setting. Place the skillet of cauliflower under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until its top gets beautifully golden brown.
      • I highly recommend you put a timer and be nearby watching the oven/ broiler for this step as things can burn very quickly in broiler. Once it’s turned crisp golden brown, turn off the oven and carefully take the skillet out.

      If you want to air fry the cauliflower instead

      • Set the air Fryer at 375 Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Move the marinated cauliflower on the air fryer basket. Air Fry it till you get golden brown crust all over.

      Serve

      • Carefully transfer the cooked cauliflower to a serving platter and garnish with a handful of fresh mint leaves, lime wedges. A little drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil on top is also great. Enjoy your beautiful, delicious creation.

      Notes

      • The steamed whole cauliflower is quiet ready to take on seasoning of your choice. You can season it to whatever you prefer. I introduced it the Indian ( Masala Gobi) spiced style.
      • You can choose fresh herbs, Italian seasoning mix or even Greek or Mediterranean spice blends. We would love to hear how you spiced yours. Leave us a comment and do let us know.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 96mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3g
      Did you make this recipe?Mention @ProfusionCurry or tag #ProfusionCurry!

      ❤️❤️ Follow us on Pinterest , Instagram and Facebook ! We love creating delicious family favorite recipes from around the world. Come Join Us ! ❤️❤️

      This recipe was originally published on October 17, 2018. It is revised with air fryer instructions and republished on 11/23/2024

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      Filed Under: Gluten Free, Seasonal and Holiday Recipes, Vegan Recipes

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Tempting Recipe

        May 28, 2020 at 5:42 am

        5 stars
        Loved this recipe of Roasted Gobhi. Thanks for such amazing recipe.

        Reply
      2. Dana | Mama Needs Cake

        October 24, 2018 at 5:09 pm

        5 stars
        I love cauliflower and this dish looks beautiful! The ingredients all look so good, I bet it is really tasty!

        Reply
      3. Traci

        October 24, 2018 at 4:33 pm

        5 stars
        What a perfect recipe for cauliflower. I lovvve every spice you used here...I swear I can almost taste it. Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
      4. Sonal

        October 24, 2018 at 4:10 pm

        5 stars
        I am in love. Will be trying this recipe soon.

        Reply
      5. fiona saluk

        October 24, 2018 at 3:59 pm

        5 stars
        okay this sounds AMAZING and I can't believe I haven't made a whole roast cauliflower yet! This is so beautiful it would be perfect as a main for vegan thanksgiving!

        Reply
      6. Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites

        October 24, 2018 at 3:39 pm

        5 stars
        I love cauliflower and all these flavors! I'm fairly certain I could eat the entire thing all by myself!

        Reply
      4.84 from 18 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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