Description
Green goddess magic meets roasted cauliflower in this Mediterranean-inspired salad bursting with herbal complexity and crisp textures. Creamy dressing and caramelized florets blend harmoniously, promising a delightful experience you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 head organic cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 cups sweet corn kernels (white or yellow)
- 1 bunch broccolini, ends trimmed
- 2 bunches organic kale, de-stemmed and roughly chopped (green, red, or both)
- 2 jalapeños, chopped
- 1 organic cucumber, peeled and sliced
- 1 Haas avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
Seasonings and Oils:
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon blackened seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Dressing:
- 1 batch homemade Green Goddess Dressing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare two parchment-lined baking sheets for roasting vegetables.
- Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, blackened seasoning, smoked paprika, and maple syrup until evenly coated, then spread on one baking sheet.
- Arrange corn and broccolini on the second baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Roast both vegetable trays for 20-25 minutes until golden and slightly charred, then remove and allow to cool briefly.
- Remove kale leaves from stems, chop roughly, and place in a large bowl. Massage with lemon juice or olive oil for 2-3 minutes until leaves soften and become more tender.
- Create a vibrant layer in a serving plate or bowl, starting with massaged kale as the base.
- Top the kale with roasted corn, broccolini, cucumber, jalapenos, blackened cauliflower, and sliced avocado.
- Generously drizzle Green Goddess Dressing over the assembled salad.
- Optional: Enhance the salad with grated Parmesan, crunchy croutons, or preferred garnishes.
- Serve immediately while vegetables are still warm and enjoy the complex flavor profile.
Notes
- Toss cauliflower with extra smoked paprika for deeper smoky undertones that elevate the entire dish’s complexity.
- Replace broccolini with asparagus or green beans if unavailable, maintaining the salad’s nutritional balance and texture variety.
- Remove jalapeno seeds for milder heat or add extra for those craving intense spiciness, allowing personalized heat adjustment.
- Substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast or omit entirely to create a completely plant-based version without compromising taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg