Friday, December 5, 2014

Roasted Cauliflower and Romaine Salad with Seeds, Raisins and Nuts


Most days I work from home. The great and not so great thing about this is having to come up with lunch every day. Sometimes it may be cheese and crackers, a salad, or even a cup of soup. But most of the time it is leftovers from the night before. Today there were not a lot of options. I was thinking salad, and on hand I had a half a head of cauliflower and some romaine. I turned to the pantry for the chickpeas, the freezer for the nuts and the fridge for the dried fruit and pomegranate seeds.

I had such great success with roasting cauliflower back in October, recipe here that I decided that I would go that route. This time I added curry, hot smoked paprika, grated orange peel and juice to the cauliflower as that is what was available. Roasted mixture for 25 minutes at 400°. The cauliflower was added to the romaine right out of the oven with the tiny bits of oil; then mixed together with a pair of tongs. The toppings were then added. There was no need for a dressing, as the roasting of the cauliflower and addition of curry and paprika bring plenty of flavor. I will definitely make this again, but being that it is so versatile it might be a little different each time.

Ingredients:

1/2 head cauliflower (cleaned and cut into small pieces)
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil (depends on size of cauliflower)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon curry powder (depends on size of cauliflower)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot smoked paprika (depends on size of cauliflower)
1 cup canned garbanzo beans
4 large leaves romaine (cleaned and cut into 1/2 inch wide ribbons)
1/2 cup parsley (chopped)
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

To prepare:

Preheat oven to 400°. In a medium sized bowl combine cauliflower with olive oil, curry powder and smoked paprika. Place mixture on a baking sheet and bake about 25 to 30 minutes until lightly browned.


In a large salad bowl add romaine, parsley and hot cauliflower right out of the oven, mix together using a pair of tongs. Add raisins, sunflower and pomegranate seeds. Ready to serve.






Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

53 comments:

  1. I love that you added roasted cauliflower to your salad! All the add-ins make this one spectacular dish!

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    1. Thanks Liz, there is something about cauliflower when it is roasted isn't there, it is so good.

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  2. Wonderful, flavorful salad, Cherie, exactly what I like for lunch. Nice and crunchy, with raisins for a bit of sweet. Pretty presentation too.

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  3. Cherie it sounds and looks so delicious!!

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  4. This kind of salad speaks my love language! Greens, a bit of crunch, a bit of sweet and savory...mmmm. Have a great weekend!

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  5. Gosh, you can always make me crave a salad and some delicious vegetables, Cheri! This looks like a wonderful lunch - great balance for all the cookies I am consuming. :)

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    1. Hi Monica, with all the baking I am doing I have to eat a salad most days for lunch. Happy Holidays!

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  6. I adore roasted cauliflower, Cheri. Never once have I even thought to add it to salad! What a delicious idea!

    I guess working from home sometimes has its happy surprise lunches. I know it does for me:)

    Thank you so much for sharing, Cheri...

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    1. Thanks Louise, lunches are kind of hit and miss for me, sometimes I'm really not that hungry. Anyway, Happy Holidays to you!

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  7. Your salad has EVERYTHING I adore! Must make this one soon.
    Thanks for sharing, Cheri.

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  8. We are retired and I frequently struggle to think of what to serve for lunch. Your salad is perfect and so healthy too.

    Hope you're having a nice weekend Cheri.
    Sam

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    1. Thanks Sam , I am having a great one, pretty busy but very nice, thanks!

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  9. Roasted cauliflower ... plus curry powder and romaine ... love the crunch! I love this salad !

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    1. Thanks Karen, I love roasted cauliflower, who knew that roasting veggies makes all the difference.

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  10. wow! It looks so healthy! I love this salad!

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  11. This looks amazing for a last minute lunch! The roasted cauliflower sounds delicious.

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    1. Thanks Lisa, sometimes last minute works, but you can't go wrong with roasted cauliflower.

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  12. I love how this salad has a mix of sweet ingredients with hearty ones like the cauliflower - delicious!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  13. Yay, my eyes brightened seeing the festive nuts and fruits in this salad! I can imagine their explosive crunch. Yum!!

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx

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  14. Ooo, lovely flavourful and scrumptious salad.
    have a super day Cher.
    :-) Mandy xo

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    1. Thanks Mandy, you too, hope you had a great week-end!

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  15. I work from home every day and I never worry about lunch. Must be something wrong with me. I'd probably end up with a gorgeous salad like this if I did a bit of worrying. Some days it's a piece of celery and other days it's a slice of bread with peanut butter. I need a salad like this to keep me going.

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    1. Hi Maureen, oh I have my peanut butter and cracker days too, in fact it is my go to. Thanks for stopping by.

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  16. What a creative combination! I have to say that,if I worked from home, I would need to have a lock on the refrigerator and give someone else the key! I cannot be trusted - I would be in there all the time either nibbling or figuring out what to make next. No work would get done!

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    1. Hi David, you know I thought I would have that problem too, but there are days that I am so busy, I hardly have time to eat.

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  17. You're so creative the way you just whipped this up with what you had on hand. I love the sound of your flavoured roasted cauliflower. The salad is so pretty and has so much colour xx

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    1. Thanks Charlie, this does not happen very often. Happy Holidays!

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  18. True to your mission statement this recipe does inspire, Cheri! Love cauliflower and a dash of curry on the roasted veggie on a bed of romaine looks to be a splendid lunch! P.s. I'm also admiring your healthy choices of the other ingredients.

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    1. Thanks Kim! With all the baked goods going on I have to eat more salads this time of year.

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  19. Now this is a fun salad! So many great flavors in every bite.

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  20. Wow, Cheri, you and I are on the same page. I was pondering making something very similar to this with brussel sprouts instead of romaine. This looks fantastic and now I have a great recipe. Love the spices :) Hope your Monday is off to a good start.

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    1. Hi Robyn, this would of been delicious with Brussels sprouts, great idea!

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  21. This salad looks wonderful, Cheri! Sometimes the best things are created when you have to wing it -- all of these ingredients make for one beautiful salad!

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    1. Hi Marcie, you are right, sometimes winging it is the best.

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  22. Very nice healthful salad. Love all the ingredients

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  23. Such salads are my weakness and I can't seem to ever get enough of them.

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