Invite this side dish to your next barbecue. Your vegetarian friends will thank you (and so will anyone else looking for a delicious way to enjoy their vegetables).
The star of this recipe is cauliflower. The humble crucifer steps in as a healthy, gluten-free substitute for wheat in a lemony and very chopped salad. When finely chopped, cauliflower is a great replacement for grains and pasta, with the bonus of adding refreshing sweet and nutty flavor and a host of nutrients. The sturdy texture resembles couscous grains, resulting in a light, veggie-forward salad or side dish.
Cauliflower ‘Couscous’ Salad
Active time: 20 minutes Total time: 20 minutes- 1 medium head cauliflower, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper or Aleppo chile flakes
- 2 to 3 thin scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced
- 1 sweet red pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 small poblano pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 red or green jalapeño pepper, stemmed and seeded, finely chopped
- 1 cup Italian parsley leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup mint leaves, chopped
- Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cauliflower and season with the salt. Sauté until the cauliflower begins to soften, 2 to 3 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, and red chile flakes. Continue to cook until the cauliflower is crisp-tender but not mushy, 3 to 4 minutes more, stirring frequently. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if desired.
Stir in the scallions and peppers, then remove from the heat. Transfer to a bowl. Add the parsley, cilantro, mint, lemon zest, and black pepper and stir to combine. Taste again for seasoning. Cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.