Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

 

Your friend says bring an appetizer to a party and you think what can I go buy? But, store bought vs homemade is just not comparable. Homemade is so much better and so much more appreciated by the host. If you have the time try this Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Goat Cheese Dip. My good friend Allison gave me this recipe and I have made it about 15 times and every time people just love it! This recipe is not quick, but its easy and so delicious and kind of a conversation piece on the buffet.  It is very dramatic and your guests will love it.  You can also serve this as a side dish along grilled chicken or oven roasted salmon and if you have any left overs you can put it in a blender with some milk and make a quick cauliflower soup.

Give it a try and let me know your thoughts!

Enjoy!

5 from 1 vote
Print

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Whipped Goat Cheese Dip

A dramatic and delicious appetizer or side dish!

Ingredients

Roasted Cauliflower

  • 2 1/2 cups dry white wine
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Kosher salt
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 head cauliflower, leaves removed
  • 8 cups water

Goat Cheese Dip

  • 4 oz goat cheese
  • 3 oz cream cheese
  • 3 oz crumbled feta
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Cauliflower

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees

  2. In a large saucepot, bring to a boil the wine, oil, salt, lemon juice, butter, red pepper flakes, sugar, bay leaf and 8 cups of water.

  3. Once the liquid is boiling add the whole cauliflower.  Cover and reduce heat to a simmer.  Allow to simmer for 20 minutes or until a knife inserts easily into the center stem. Turn over the cauliflower once during the cooking process. 

  4. Remove the cauliflower from the liquid with two forks or two slotted spoons to a baking sheet. Be sure and allow most of the liquid to drain out of the cauliflower before placing on baking sheet. 

  5. Roast in oven for 30-35 minutes. Rotate the pan half way through the cooking process so both sides brown evenly.  

  6. Transfer cauliflower to a serving plate. 

Goat Cheese Dip

  1. In a food processor blend together goat cheese, cream cheese, feta cheese, cream, oil, lemon zest and salt until smooth. Transfer dip to a serving bowl. 

Recipe Notes

zest the lemon before you juice it and that way you only use 1 lemon.