Guys…are you as worried about cauliflower as I am?
Cauliflower has become a great substitute for so many low-carb versions of classic dishes…rice, mashed potatoes, even mac & cheese, from breadsticks to bagels and nachos to tortillas, cauliflower is working overtime to make everything look (and taste) good… but it’s time we give cauliflower its identity back.
What do you say?
Slice it up. Grill it up. Let its flavor shine and be the star of the show.
This Cauliflower Steak with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade should help give this nutrition-dense vegetable the spotlight it deserves.
By whirring up fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, a little tomato paste and salt and pepper – you’re on your way to a meal that is jam-packed with flavor so reminiscent of the Mediterranean, with its big pops of color and texture, you’ll think you have olive trees growing in your backyard and tomatoes drying under the heat of the Tuscan sun.
With a small dollop of this briny robust tapenade, our ‘steak’ delivers on taste, health and “beefiness”.
It’s as satisfying as any rib-eye I’ve ever had.
Buon Appetito!
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Cauliflower Steaks with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade
- Category: Vegetable
Ingredients
- 8 – 10 kalamata olives
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, well-drained
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 large clove of garlic
- salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1 – 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 head of cauliflower
Instructions
- Combine first five ingredients in food processor. Process until ingredients are coarsely chopped.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- In the meantime, pre-heat your grill pan or skillet on medium-high heat.
- Remove the leaves and trim off the tough base of the cauliflower head.
- Cut 1 inch thick cross-section slices.
- Drizzle olive oil in the pan, then cook the steaks for 6 – 8 minutes on each side. Season with salt and pepper.
- Check if they’re cooked through by cutting into the center with a butter knife. If it slides through easily, it’s done.
- Remove from pan and top with tapenade and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Serve.
Ciao!
I super love your concern for cauliflower’s identity crisis. What a sweetheart! 🙂
And this dish looks crazy tasty!
Hahah! Hey! These these things are important…mustn’t lose sight of where it all began! 😉 Thanks, Trish!
What a great idea! Looks super healthy and delicious!! 🙂
Thanks, Christina…Yes, to all of the above…plus – it’s easy! 🙂
Simiply stunning! I love sun dried tomatoes, they are one of my favorite flavors. I have to try this!
Sun dried tomato is one of my favorite’s too! Thanks for stoping by, Sam!
What a gorgeous idea. This looks incredibly appetizing!
Thank you, Anu!
It seems like a common thing anymore to hide cauliflower in food, but I love that you made it the star of this recipe! I just picked up some sun dried tomatoes too, I think I need to give that tapenade a try 😉
It is common (with good reason) but I thought this would fun. Thanks, Danielle!
This looks incredible, Annie! I love that you are letting cauliflower shine because that is my favorite way to enjoy it too 🙂 The sun-dried tomato tapenade sounds so fresh, flavorful and amazing! I can’t wait to try this!
Thanks, Kelly! 🙂
I literally gasped when I saw that first picture. What a FANTASTIC way to serve up cauliflower, it looks so elegant but is PACKED with flavour and yet so simple!
TOTALLY giving cauliflower its identify back. Love it a thousand times over and PINNING!!!
Thank you, Nagi!! Hope you like it!
Annie this is such a deliicous idea to serve cauliflower steaks with sun dried tomato tapenade! Pinning!
Thanks, Ami! And thanks for the pin! 🙂
I hear you, girl! I worry a lot about zucchini. We’re trying to disguise it as other things (like zoodles) and I also see people deep-frying it. But it’s so good on its own!
What a great way to feature cauliflower! The tapenade looks super amazing and savory!
Zucchini is so good on its own! I agree… We must start this revolution. Save the vegetables! 😉 Thanks so much, friend!
What a fun recipe Annie, love it! 🙂
Thanks, Manali! It is a fun one! 🙂
Yes! Bring cauliflower back! Let’s stop making him be someone he’s not! You sure made this guy the star of his own show here.
Exactly! You know what I’m sayin’! Thanks, Rachelle!
What a gorgeous dish Annie! Need to make it! I can’t live without cauliflower! Love the flavors!
Don’t you just love it?! Cauliflower is one of my favorites, too! Thanks, Mira!
Super creative dish, Annie! I LOVE olives, so the tapenade over the cauliflower steaks looks and sounds incredible!
I could eat this tapenade on cardboard and love it!! Thanks, Kathleen!
I love everything about this dish, Annie. I’ve roasted cauliflower but never tried browning it a pan – definitely trying this. Love the tapenade as well!
Just like grilling a steak! Thanks, Geraldine! Enjoy!
What a fantastic way to eat cauliflower! I’ve never seen it served in ‘steak’ form like this. I think I have to try this!
So easy and so good! You’re literally minutes away from a great meal with this one! Thanks, Shelby!
I prefer to have my cauliflower the old fashioned way, just as cauliflower. This is a great recipe to showcase just that. Delicious and nutritious.
Me too! Thanks for stopping by, Kathy!
I’m all for letting cauliflower be the star of the meal!!! love it and hooray for cauliflower steaks!!! yes!!!
Right??!! Sooo good!! Thanks, dear!
I totally agree! Can’t we just let cauliflower be cauliflower for once?! That tapenade you spooned on top is the icing on the cauliflower cake.
Poor poor cauliflower…hahahah! This recipe’s a keeper! Thanks, Joanne!
Wow I’m so impressed with this dish, Annie! I’ve never even thought to make something like this! I love the flavors of this cauliflower steak. That tapenade sounds so flavorful and I love how healthy this is! Sounds perfect!
So healthy and as flavorful as any dish you’ve had..the tapenade is a star all on its own. Thanks, Gayle!
Annie – What a creative spin on a steak! I have never really craved meat and often substitute it with vegetables or beans. I love this grilled cauliflower and can totally see myself making it several times this spring and summer. I want to spread that tapenade on everything. 🙂
Oh yeah, this is a great alternative, especially as we head into warmer weather. Thanks, Erin!