Za’atar Cauliflower Steaks

Easily one of the simplest ways to cook up cauliflower is in roasted “steak” form. There’s almost zero prep work and only a few ingredients required — a full head of cauliflower, cooking oil of choice and whatever spices or herbs you want to top with. 

For this recipe, we’re going to use za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend used for seasoning meat and vegetables. Consisting of sesame seeds, savory dried herbs like oregano and thyme, and earthy spices like sumac, cumin and coriander, the resulting flavor is herbal, nutty and slightly lemony. Since this blend packs so much flavor, it’s the perfect seasoning to neutral cauliflower. 

Herbs and spices have heaps of nutritional value.  Za’atar, specifically, has some impressive health benefits, including its ability to boost immunity, improve skin health, increase bone strength, clear out the respiratory tracts, and soothe inflammation. Za’atar has been used to treat eczema, period cramps, colds, and stomach aches. Antioxidant-rich sesame seeds are a good source of magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, omega-6 fatty acids and fiber. Sumac, thyme and oregano are full of flavonoids, which are antioxidant-rich molecules containing anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. 

All you need is your cutting board, a large knife, oven and the ingredients listed below. You can find za’atar in the spice section of your grocery store. Apart from the normal jarred spices, Whole Foods also sells them in smaller packets which I like using. These steaks pair nicely with a simple salad, creamy hummus and warm pita. 

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower

1 packet za’atar spice blend

2 tablespoons avocado oil 

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. 

2. While the oven pre-heats, prepare the cauliflower steaks. Slice the cauliflower into 1-2” thick steaks. Don’t worry if some of the pieces break off. 

3. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the steaks on top. 

4. Drizzle with avocado oil and top with the za’atar. I use the entire packet since I love the flavor but if you want a milder flavor, use less of the za’atar. Using a basting brush, brush the oil and spices into the nooks and crannies of the cauliflower steaks. 

5. Roast in the oven until golden brown and a knife easily cuts through the steaks, about 30-40 minutes. 

6. Serve alongside a simple salad, hummus and pita. Enjoy!