Roasted Cauliflower and Garlic Dip with Toasted Pepitas
A vegan roasted garlic and cauliflower dip recipe made with crunchy toasted pepitas and freshly grated nutmeg.
Makes: 6 servings
Ingredients
4 cups 3/4-inch thick cauliflower florets
1 head garlic, root end trimmed and broken into cloves
4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
sea salt
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
ground cayenne pepper to taste
3 tablespoons pepitas
2 tablespoons minced flatleaf parsley
flatbreads or crackers, for serving
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a medium-sized bowl, toss the cauliflower florets and garlic cloves (still in their papery skin) with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with sea salt. Make sure garlic is tucked up against the cauliflower florets to protect it from the heat. Flipping halfway through, roast until cauliflower is tender and golden, about 20 - 25 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, set a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil, then the pepitas. Toast 2 - 3 minutes, just until the seeds become fragrant and a few start to pop. Toss with sea salt and set aside.
When cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic out of the papery skins.
In the bowl of a food processor, pulse to combine roasted cauliflower and garlic, 2 tablespoons toasted pepitas, lemon juice, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper to taste. With the food processor running, drizzle in 3 tablespoons olive oil (for a creamier dip, add an additional 2 tablespoons olive oil). Taste and add additional sea salt, pepper, and lemon juice as needed.
Spoon dip into a wide bowl, drizzle with a remaining teaspoon olive oil, minced parsley, and remaining toasted pepitas. Serve with warm flatbread triangles or crackers.
Other ideals to make it better.
To make the dip even more nutritious, you can add some protein-rich chickpeas or white beans to the mix. This will make the dip more filling and satisfying.
Instead of using only roasted garlic, you can also add some roasted shallots or red onions to the mix. This will add some sweetness and depth of flavor to the dip.
To make the dip more tangy and flavorful, you can add some nutritional yeast or apple cider vinegar to the mix. This will give the dip a slightly cheesy or sour flavor that pairs well with the roasted garlic and nutmeg.
Instead of using flatbreads or crackers, you can serve the dip with some raw veggie dippers like sliced bell peppers, cucumber rounds, or cherry tomatoes. This will add some extra crunch and nutrients to the dish.
To make the dip more colorful and appealing, you can sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or chives on top before serving. This will add some freshness and aroma to the dip.