Recipe Highlight: Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with an Herby Avocado Sauce

The weather is changing! Warm afternoons lead to pleasant evenings that inspire us to enjoy outdoor living. In other words, it’s BBQ season!!! With the Farmers Markets opening soon, you are probably wondering about fun, unique ways to enjoy the bounty of the seasonal harvest you will bring home. So, while most people think of grilling a juicy steak, maybe some bratwurst or a burger or two, have you ever considered trying a grilled cauliflower steak?

I tried grilled cauliflower steaks for the first time a couple of years ago, and they quickly became one of my favorite grilled dishes. They are super quick and easy to prepare, the grilling process is almost entirely hands-free and they can be served as an entrée or as a fun side dish.

Cauliflower steaks with an herby avocado sauce is a recipe demanding space on the grill! Deeply caramelized, seasoned with a garlicky, peppery blend of spices, and finished with a creamy herby avocado topping, these sassy vegetarian “steaks” can hold their own at any BBQ.

Cauliflower Steaks with an Herby Avocado Sauce

2 large heads cauliflower
3 Tbsp. olive oil
½ Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. cumin
½ tsp. onion powder
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
Vegetable oil (for grilling)
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh oregano leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced

Remove the outer leaves from each cauliflower head. Cut off the bottom stem to create a flat base for the cauliflower for cutting. Using a large, sharp knife, trim away the sides, then cut the remaining head into 2 or 3 1-inch thick “steaks”.

In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, honey, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder, salt and pepper. Brush half of the mixture over the top of the cauliflower steaks.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the parsley, oregano, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, salt, pepper and olive oil. Add the avocado and gently stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.

Heat a grill to medium (about 350° F). Place the seasoned side of the cauliflower steaks facing down on the hot grill, then brush the tops of the steaks with the remaining olive oil mixture. Cover the grill and let cook for 6-8 minutes, until the bottom begins to char. Flip the cauliflower, then re-cover the grill and cook 5-7 additional minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Remove from the grill. Serve hot with the avocado salsa and an extra sprinkle of salt as desired.

--contributed by Jill Rozier
Lake Tahoe Markets – Tahoe’s only Online Farmers Market
www.LakeTahoeMarkets.com