There’s a whole host of flavours and textures here, which makes it great as a standalone main or as part of a sharing platter. Cauliflower florets are roasted until just browned but still crunchy, then tossed in a sweet yet tart and punchy dressing. It’s a real show stopper but does require alittle prepping, so give yourself time to enjoy making it.
Ingredients
For the Dressing
2 ½tablespoonspomegranate molasses
1teaspoonred wine vinegar
¼garlic clove, crushed
¼teaspoonDijon mustard
¼teaspoonsugar
⅛teaspoonsalt
110mlolive oil squeeze of lemon juice
For the Salad
1pomegranate
100ghazelnuts
1 large cauliflower
1tablespoonolive oil
½ stick of celery, chopped into 1cm cubes
3tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
salt
black pepper
To make the dressing, whisk together the pomegranate molasses, vinegar, garlic, mustard, sugar and salt. Still whisking, slowly add the oil to create an emulsion. Mix in a squeeze of lemon juice and set aside. Peel the pomegranate and pluck out the jewel-like seeds. Put them in a bowl and pick off any pith.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Place the hazelnuts on a tray and roast for seven minutes. Remove and leave to cool a bit before rolling them with your palms to remove the papery skin. Lightly crush the nuts with the flat of a knife or roughly chop. Increase the oven temperature to 220°C (200°C fan). Break the cauliflower into florets, setting aside the stalks. Toss the florets in the olive oil, season with salt and black pepper and put on a baking tray. Bake for five minutes or until golden brown. Grate the reserved cauliflower stalks.
Combine the roasted cauliflower with the pomegranate seeds, crushed hazelnuts, grated cauliflower stalks and chopped celery. Toss with the dressing and chopped parsley and serve.