Perfectly roasted cauliflower steaks are hard to resist.

They’re meaty, flavorful, and delicious. The key is in cutting the steaks from a head of cauliflower. Look for a large cauliflower with a thicker stem so that you can get at least 4 thick steaks from it.

Cauliflower Steak with Crushed Black Pepper Recipe

Serves 2

Prep Time – 10 Minutes

Cook Time – 20 Minutes

Ingredients

1 large cauliflower

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon crushed garlic

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon crushed black pepper

¼ teaspoon chili pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C.
2. Cut the leaves and hard part of the stem from the cauliflower. Wash and dry with a paper towel. Set the cauliflower with the stem side facing down.
3. You want to get 4 steaks from the middle portion of the cauliflower where the florets are connected to the stem. Cut the portion on the left and right sides of the cauliflower so that you have a solid rectangular-shaped slab remaining in the middle. Slice the slab into 4 steaks. (Use the cauliflower florets from the 2 sides for making other dishes, like Cauliflower Rice.)
4. Place the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in the microwave at 50% power for 20 seconds, or until soft but not melted. Make the herb butter by mixing the garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and chili pepper flakes (if using) with the butter.
5. Place the cauliflower steaks in a 9-inch x 9-inch oven-safe pan. Spoon over ½ tablespoon of herb butter on each steak. Spread it evenly. Turn them over and spread the other ½ tablespoon of herb butter on each steak.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn the steaks over. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the stems are tender and the florets have browned. Serve hot.

Serving Suggestions:

You can serve the cauliflower steaks with any sauce of your choice. I love these steaks with roasted tomato sauce, pesto, chimichurri, Thai peanut sauce, or Indian yogurt raita.

You can sprinkle the cauliflower steaks with a healthy helping of shredded cheese of your choice a few minutes before removing them from the oven.

Tips:

To make vegan cauliflower steaks, replace the butter with an oil that can stand high heat, like canola oil.

If you cannot find large cauliflowers, look for 2 small cauliflowers so that you can get 2 steaks from each.

AUTHOR: SEEMA SHENOY
IMAGE: BHOFACK2/DEPOSIT PHOTOS
EDITOR: REBECCA BENEVENTO