Easy Cauliflower “Steak” with Romesco Sauce Recipe
This Easy Cauliflower “Steak” with Romesco Sauce is a flavorful and hearty vegetarian dish featuring thick cauliflower slices roasted to perfection and topped with a smoky, nutty Romesco sauce made from roasted red peppers, tomatoes, almonds, and spices. It’s a simple yet elegant recipe perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.
- Author: Cleo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cauliflower Steaks
- 1 head Cauliflower (Choose a firm, fresh head)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil (Extra virgin for roasting)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- to taste Sea salt
- to taste Black pepper
Romesco Sauce
- 1 cup Roasted red peppers (Jarred)
- 2 medium Tomatoes (Fresh or canned)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Roasted or raw)
- 1/2 cup Toasted almonds
- 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup Olive oil (For emulsifying the sauce)
For Garnish
- 1/2 cup Extra toasted almonds (Sprinkle on top)
- to taste Fresh parsley or basil
- 1 lemon Lemon wedges (For squeezing)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the cauliflower steaks.
- Slice Cauliflower: Remove the outer leaves and cut the cauliflower head into ¾-inch thick slices or ‘steaks’. Try to keep the slices intact for presentation.
- Season Cauliflower: Brush both sides of each cauliflower steak with extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper evenly on both sides for robust flavor.
- Roast Cauliflower: Place the seasoned steaks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even roasting and caramelization.
- Prepare Romesco Sauce: While cauliflower roasts, combine roasted red peppers, fresh or canned tomatoes, garlic, toasted almonds, red wine vinegar, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper in a food processor.
- Emulsify Sauce: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in ¼ cup olive oil until the mixture forms a smooth, emulsified sauce with a rich texture.
- Plate and Serve: Spoon a generous amount of Romesco sauce onto each serving plate, place a roasted cauliflower steak on top, and garnish with extra toasted almonds and fresh parsley or basil for brightness.
- Add Finishing Touch: Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over the cauliflower steaks to add a fresh, zesty finish.
Notes
- Use firm, fresh cauliflower to ensure the steaks hold together during roasting.
- If your cauliflower slices break apart, you can use the florets for roasting instead.
- Roasted garlic adds a sweeter, mellower flavor to the Romesco sauce, but raw garlic works fine if roasted isn’t available.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount according to your heat preference.
- The Romesco sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a fresh green salad for a full meal.
Keywords: cauliflower steak, romesco sauce, roasted cauliflower, vegetarian main dish, Spanish sauce, healthy recipes