Kelly’s back Guest-clacking for us again, after sharing her recipe for spicy pork and black bean chili that she made from leftovers.
If you’re a foodie like I am, you look for special recipes that impress family and friends. There are a few upcoming holiday events that we’ll be attending, and I will need to bring an impressive side dish. For me, especially during the month of December, I am a big believer in the K.I.S.S. method. Yes, the food I bring to a get-together or party must be delicious, but it also must be fairly simple to do.
After a quick search of my cookbooks, I knew that I needed to find a new recipe. I like to find recipes that are not too heavy on the fat, but will appeal to a wide variety of palates. I confess I like to eat lighter side dishes because it makes me feel better about indulging my sweet tooth occasionally.
Trolling my favorite recipe sites, I pause. Ina Garten’s Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette sounds divine, but since it has warm vinaigrette on the salad, which must be served immediately, I sigh and move on. Perhaps I’ll serve that salad on Christmas, when I’ll be hosting dinner.
I meander over to Cooking Light, hoping for at least a little inspiration. Looking for a good recipe is a lot like wardrobe shopping; it’s easy to get distracted by the dramatic evening dresses and sexy high heels. The beautiful photos of food make me salivate, but I remind myself to not get distracted. Typing in ‘side dishes,’ and then clicking on Holiday Side Dishes, I come across Roasted Cauliflower with Fresh Herbs and Parmesan. Roasted cauliflower sounds delicious. I peruse the recipe, and though it suggests that it be served warm, I think that this could be it. I read the last 10 or so reviews. A few cooks didn’t care for the recipe, another wrote that she liked the roasted cauliflower but would put less lemon juice on the next time, and still more raved about it. Hmmm. Rated by 27 cooks, it had a four out of five star rating, which I think is none too shabby!
A test run of the recipe revealed that the only drawback is that you must turn the cauliflower every 5 minutes, for about 20 minutes. However, that chore is a small price to pay for the absolutely delicious flavor of the roasted cauliflower paired with the fresh parsley, thyme, tarragon, and garlic. I added the full amount of lemon juice called for in the recipe, and it added just the right amount of zip for me. A few tips: Be sure to get all the chopping of herbs done before you put the cauliflower in the oven, or things will get way too hectic in your kitchen! I will also note that I bought a small container of already shredded fresh Parmesan from the grocery store. I simply don’t have time to shred fresh Parmesan right now.
I brought this beautiful side dish to my parent’s house for Thanksgiving, and everyone exclaimed over it. After about 10 minutes in the ‘warming oven,’ the cauliflower was set out with the rest of the feast. My Aunt Beth said, “I don’t even like cauliflower, but this is delicious! I guess you can’t go wrong with garlic and parmesan!”
So, Roasted Cauliflower with Fresh Herbs and Parmesan is my new little black dress for the holidays (although Debbie’s recipe for roasted broccoli just might find its way to my table!). The fresh parsley, thyme, tarragon, and minced garlic will certainly spice things up at any table. The grated fresh Parmesan will serve to step up the ordinarily plain cauliflower to a level of grandness. And since it serves eight and takes less than 30 minutes to cook, it’s a winner!
How do you pick out a dish to bring to a holiday shindig, and what is the hardest part about picking a dish for you?
Clacked by Guest Clacker
on Dec 01, 2009 @ 12:05 EST5EDT
I WANT THE RECIPES!!!
I got a cauliflower in my fridge that is claiming to be roasted w/herbs and be as mouth watering as you describe!!!
I sure like your idea of perfecting one dish so as you hope around the holiday parties you got the one thing to bring that you have already master! Brilliant!
This sounds like a fantastic way to make a healthy side item for the holidays! I can’t get my husband to go near cauliflower but when I showed him this recipe, he was excited. On a lighter note, I almost spewed my drink because I was laughing so hard at the line “Looking for a good recipe is a lot like wardrobe shopping; it’s easy to get distracted by the dramatic evening dresses and sexy high heels.” I am the same way! I’ll definitely be checking up on this author again.
We love cauliflower! This sounds relatively easy to make, cook and totally good enough to eat! Terrific recipe! Will check back frequently to see what else you’ll have in store!
@Lisseth,
You are too funny! I was very surprised at how tasty the roasted cauliflower turned out to be; delighted, but definitely surprised. I am normally not one to cook cauliflower, and when I do it’s generally steamed (nothing exciting there). Here’s the link to the recipe in case you missed it: https://www.cookinglight.com/entertaining/holidays-occasions/holiday-cookbook-sides-00400000030233/
@Brittany,
You’re right, it is a great way to cook a healthy but tempting side dish. Glad you enjoyed my analogy of my recipe quest!
@Rhonda,
So glad you liked the sound of the roasted cauliflower recipe!
I was just looking at a head of cauliflower in the grocery yesterday, thinking “I really should buy that” because it’s a different, healthy vegetable. Of course, I meandered off to the same ‘ole things. This recipe does sound wonderful and I will pick up that cauliflower next week!! Love the way it was presented in this article=)