Cauliflower With Kale, Crispy Chickpeas, and Tahini Dressing

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This 5-ingredient (vegan!) dinner will soon be on repeat in your kitchen. Tender kale leaves are tossed with both lemon zest and juice, making for a bright complement to oven-roasted cauliflower. We found that pre-heating a baking sheet makes for the crispiest chickpeas: just be sure to pat them very dry after rinsing for maximum crunch. The tahini dressing is nutty and creamy, and acts as the glue that brings all the components together. Make double and use it in a variety of dishes all week long—it would be great on a shaved brussels sprouts salad or tossed with soba noodles.

Cauliflower Steaks With Kale, Crispy Chickpeas, and Tahini Dressing
There are few things more satisfying than a deeply golden sear on veggies—and we're particularly excited about the color on this cauliflower. Pre-heating the pan allows both the chickpeas and cauliflower to begin crisping immediately, providing delicious flavor and texture to both. A base of tahini dressing and a pile of tender, lemon-y kale complete the meal. Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks With Kale, Crispy Chickpeas, and Tahini Dressing. Photo: Victor Protasio
Hands On Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Yield:
4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch kale, stems removed, leaves torn into bite-size pieces (about 5 cups)

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 5 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 2 lemons), divided

  • 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided

  • 1 ¼ teaspoons freshly-ground black pepper, divided

  • 1 medium head cauliflower (about 1 lb.)

  • 1 15.5-oz. can chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted very dry

  • ¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. tahini

  • ¼ cup water

  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Place 2 rimmed baking sheets in oven while it preheats.

  2. Combine kale, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of the oil, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss to coat and massage into kale leaves.

  3. Slice cauliflower vertically, creating some large steaks and small florets as you cut through the stalk. Remove one of the hot baking sheets from the oven and place cauliflower in a single layer on baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the oil, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Turn to coat and return to oven.

  4. Toss chickpeas with 1 tablespoon of the oil and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Place in an even layer on second hot baking sheet and return to oven. Roast cauliflower and chickpeas, flipping cauliflower halfway through and rotating baking sheets top to bottom, until cauliflower is browned and chickpeas are crispy, 20 to 25 minutes.

  5. Whisk together tahini, water, remaining 4 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon dressing onto 4 plates. Top with cauliflower, kale, and chickpeas. Serve with lemon wedges.

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