Ingredients
1largehead of cauliflowertightly packed, sliced into bite-sized florets
3tbspextra-virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1tbspextra-virgin olive oil
¼cupslivered or sliced almonds
1¼cupsfreekehcracked
2garlic clovespressed or minced
½tspsalt
¼tspcumin
¼tspcoriander
3cupsvegetable stockand/or water, plus 2 tbsp
⅓cuptahini
3tbspfresh lemon juice
2garlic clovespressed or minced
red pepper flakesgenerous pinch
⅓cupwaterscant cup
Salt and freshly ground black pepperto taste
fresh parsleyhandful, and/or cilantro leaves, chopped
fetacrumbled, optional, omit for a vegan dish
raisinssmall handful
sprinkling of sesame seeds
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Toss cauliflower florets with enough olive oil to cover them in a light, even layer of oil.
Season with salt and pepper and arrange the florets in a single layer on a large, rimmed baking sheet.
Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, tossing halfway, until the florets are deeply golden on the edges.
Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
Add the almonds and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes or until they’re fragrant and turning golden on the edges.
Add the freekeh and sauté for 2 minutes, then add the garlic, cumin, coriander and salt, and sauté for 1 more minute.
Add vegetable broth, raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
Cover and cook, stirring occasionally and reducing heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer, for 20 to 25 minutes or until freekeh is tender to the bite.
Drain off any excess liquid, cover and set aside for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a bowl, stir together the tahini, lemon juice, garlic and red pepper flakes.
Whisk in the water until you have a smooth, blended tahini sauce.
Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
Start with a bed of cooked freekeh and top with roasted cauliflower.
Drizzle tahini sauce generously over the dish and then top with a sprinkling of chopped fresh herbs, crumbled feta (optional), raisins, and sesame seeds.
Serve immediately.