Cauliflower roasted with Curry leaf seasoning

Appetizers are usually the best part of any gathering. Guests relax, enjoying them with cocktails while most of the fun conversations are exchanged. Appetizers can be made completely with vegetables and served in uniquely seasoned ways that can be enjoyed by all. 

Curry leaf is a very beneficial herb used a lot in South Asian cuisine. It is also used liberally in South Indian cooking. Curry leaves are dry roasted along with red chillies and pounded to a powder. This mixed with rice and a drizzle of ghee is said to have gut beneficial powers. To the extent that it is recommended for new moms to quicken their healing after child birth. 

By roasting the cauliflower in the oven at high heat, we preserve the crunchiness and also get a golden crisp texture. Then we toss this cauliflower in the amazing goodness of the curry leaf powder and crisp it up for few more minutes to absorb the flavors. This dish is that simple and yet the aroma is intense. Cauliflower as a vegetable can absorb a myriad of flavors and so lends itself well to the curry leaf seasoning. 

Advance prep tip – Make the curry leaf seasoning and store in glass jars for use up to 6 months. 

Curry Leaf Cauliflower recipe

Ingredients – 

• Cauliflower pieces (2 large cauliflowers) 4 cups 
• Curry leaf seasoning powder 4 tbsps 
• Salt
• Oil

Procedure –

1. Heat the oven to 450 degrees
2. Take a large cookie sheet, add the cauliflowers, drizzle oil liberally and season with salt 
3. Spread evenly in a single layer and bake in the oven for 10-15 mins until light brown edges are formed 
4. Remove from oven, sprinkle the curry leaf seasoning and mix until well coated 
5. Return to oven for another 8-10 minutes until crisp texture is reached 

Curry leaf seasoning powder –

Ingredients – 

• Curry leaves (large bunch) ~20 sprigs
• Channa dal 2 tbsps 
• Urad dal 2 tbsps 
• Red chilly (dried) 8 

Procedure – 

1. Dry roast the channa dal, urad dal and red chillies
2. Turn off the heat and add the curry leaves to hot pan 
3. Leave it in the pan to dry in the heat 
4. Cool and make a fine powder in a blender 
5. Store in a glass jar for up to 6 months 

Curry Leaf Cauliflower recipe card

Cauliflower pieces (2 large cauliflowers) 4 cups 
Curry leaf seasoning powder 4 tbsps 
Salt
Oil
 

Curry Leaf Seasoning powder recipe card

Curry leaves (large bunch) ~20 sprigs
Channa dal 2 tbsps 
Urad dal 2 tbsps 
Red chilly (dried) 8