Cauliflower Tikka Masala

This is the bonus content for our “Indian Inspired Dinner”. It makes a delicious plant based Tikka Masala which is easy to make at home and dairy free, unlike most restaurant Tikka Masala.

Ingredients:

Cauliflower:

1 large head cauliflower (about 1 1/2lbs), cut into florets

1 tsp. cumin

½ Tbsp. Garam Masala

½ tsp. cayenne

½ tsp. kosher salt

1 Tbsp. avocado oil

Sauce:

1 large yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups)

1 ½ Tbsp. garlic, minced

1 ½ Tbsp. ginger, minced

2 tsp. garam masala + ½ tsp. more to add at end

2 tsp. ground coriander

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. ground turmeric

½ - 1 tsp. cayenne (depends on how hot you like it)

¼ tsp. ground cardamom

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

1 cup tomato puree

½ cup water

1 ½ tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. lemon juice

¾ cups cashew cream (1 cup of soaked cashews blended with 1 ½ cups water)

¼ cup cilantro, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut cauliflower into florets and lay out in a single layer on a ½ sheet pan. Drizzle with avocado oil. Sprinkle with cumin, garam masala, cayenne and kosher salt and toss, spreading seasoning throughout the cauliflower. Spread back out into single layer and roast for about 20 minutes or until the florets are nicely browned. Remove from oven and set aside.

2. While cauliflower is roasting, begin making sauce.

3. Heat a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Once hot, add 2 Tbsp. of avocado oil to pan and add onions, cooking until browning and caramelized (about 5-10 min). Turn down heat to medium low and add ginger and garlic, cooking until aromatic. Add the rest of the spices and sauté for a 1-2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and sauté for another 1-2 minutes (this removes the bitterness). Add the tomato puree, water, and salt and raise heat to bring sauce to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.

4. Add cashew cream. Using a stick blender, blend sauce, adding additional water if needed. Add ½ tsp. garam masala and kosher salt to taste.  Stir and add roasted cauliflower and chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning as needed and serve. Garnish with extra cilantro.