Meatless Monday: Roasted Cauliflower


My current food obsession: cauliflower. It seems random, and maybe a little boring -- it's the least colorful vegetable out there. But what it lacks in vibrancy, it makes up for with versatility. Cauliflower totally transforms into something new depending on how you cook it. Steam and puree it and it becomes so silky, you'll swear there's cream in it. Add the pureed cauliflower to soups, mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese to thicken them and add flavor and creaminess without dairy. Bake it with cheese and cream for a hearty gratin that'll trump any potato casserole you've ever had. You can pickle cauliflower and add it to salads, appetizer platters or sandwiches -- it's especially good on falafel. Deep fry cauliflower and eat it as a snack, like popcorn, or toss the crispy, fried florets into a salad. Roast it -- on its own or with other vegetables, like carrots -- till it's golden brown and tender and serve it as a side dish or add it to pasta to make a complete meal.
I like to roast two large heads of cauliflower and eat some for dinner with pasta, and use the leftovers the next day in a frittata or omelet, with some Gruyere, sharp cheddar or Parmesan cheese. Leftover roasted cauliflower is also pretty great on a pita with some hummus.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
In a bowl, toss the oil, garlic, cumin, cauliflower and toss to incorporate. Adjust the seasonings with salt and black pepper. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, and dollop the top with little pats of the butter. Sprinkle the panko bread crumbs over the cauliflower. Roast the baking dish in the oven for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cauliflower is golden brown, and tender.