Walk into Tel Aviv’s Tzfon Abraxas restaurant and there’s likely music blasting, waiters singing, and cooks dancing. But that doesn’t mean the food isn’t taken seriously. Chef Eyal Shani cooks at an open heart and all the food comes out with a bit of char and a lot of flavor. This Charred Cauliflower with Garlic Tahini Sauce Recipe always takes me back.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Tzfon Abraxas’ meal was nothing short of phenomenal—charred beets with yogurt sauce, pizza with tender zucchini, and possibly the best whole fish I’ve ever had—but the undeniable favorite was the Charred Cauliflower. The key is to partially cook the cauliflower and then cook until it’s charred. After many rounds of testing, I found it best when steamed through then charred under the broiler. Chef Shani served the cauliflower as is but, as I’ve recreated it, I’ve become majorly into serving it with this garlicky tahini sauce. I hope you enjoy my version, the Charred Cauliflower with Garlic Tahini Sauce recipe.
Recipe Ingredients
These are the ingredients that you’ll need to make this recipe:
For The Cauliflower:
- medium cauliflower, outer leaves trimmed and discarded
For The Garlic Tahini Sauce:
- tahini stirred before using
- warm water
- garlic grated
- freshly squeezed lemon juice
- honey
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling on the cauliflower
- finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
How To Make This Recipe
These are the instructions to make this recipe:
- Steam The Cauliflower: Place a few inches of water in a large pot then insert a steam basket. Bring to a boil then add the whole cauliflower head. Reduce head to medium and steam until the base of the cauliflower can be really easily pierced with a sharp knife, about 15 minutes. Heat an oven to broil and arrange a rack in the top, at least 6 inches from the broiler.
- Make The Garlic Tahini Sauce: Meanwhile, combine the tahini, the measured water, lemon juice, garlic, and honey in a mini food processor or high-performance blender. Add a pinch of salt and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust flavoring as desired.
- Broil The Cauliflower: Place the whole head of cauliflower on an aluminum foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle all over with olive oil.
Season all over with a large pinch of salt then place under the broiler. Cook, watching the whole time and rotating the baking sheet as needed, until the cauliflower is mostly charred.
Serve with tahini sauce, some chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt.
Now, go stock up on all your cooking essentials, then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
Charred Cauliflower with Garlic Tahini Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
For The Cauliflower:
- 1 medium cauliflower (about 1 1/2 pounds) outer leaves trimmed and discarded
For The Garlic Tahini Sauce:
- 1/2 cup tahini stirred before using
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon honey plus more as desired
- kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling on the cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
Instructions
- Steam The Cauliflower: Place a few inches of water in a large pot then insert a steam basket. Bring to a boil then add the whole cauliflower head. Reduce head to medium and steam until the base of the cauliflower can be really easily pierced with a sharp knife, about 15 minutes. Heat an oven to broil and arrange a rack in the top, at least 6 inches from the broiler.
- Make The Garlic Tahini Sauce: Meanwhile, combine the tahini, the measured water, lemon juice, garlic, and honey in a mini food processor or high-performance blender. Add a pinch of salt and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust flavoring as desired.
- Broil The Cauliflower: Place the whole head of cauliflower on an aluminum foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle all over with olive oil (you want to pour it on slowly so the cauliflower soaks it up but don't add so much that it pools on the baking sheet). Season all over with a large pinch of salt then place under the broiler. Cook, watching the whole time and rotating the baking sheet as needed, until the cauliflower is mostly charred. Serve with tahini sauce, some chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt.
