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Vegetarian options are in the forefront at Lulu in Sag Harbor. (Photo credit: Eric Striffler)

Can cauliflower be legendary? If it’s the whole-roasted head from Lulu Kitchen it can. Part of this is in no small part the unshy, if giddy presentation: served completely in tact, it’s roasted to caramelized, nutty perfection and treated to a tangy, spicy yogurt sauce and and presented with sturdy knife plunged deep into its center, like some kind of alternate-universe nod to a vegetarian King Henry VIII banquet centerpiece.

But if you’re looking to get more fulfilling, plant-based meals into your home menu, it’s a delicious, full-flavor showstopper with communal appeal (and pretty simple to boot!).

Lulu Kitchen Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 medium head cauliflower green leaves left in tact
  • 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pinch Aleppo pepper
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1/4 tsp smoked salt

Yogurt Sauce

  • 14 oz plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 pinch Aleppo pepper
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tbsp Portuguese spice blend
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Roasted Grapes

  • 2 lbs red grapes, washed
  • 2 tbsp Aleppo pepper
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Place whole cauliflower in a medium-sized stainless steel pot. Fill 3/4 up with water and add in about a quarter-sized amount of salt.
  • Cover with a lid, bring to. boil, then lower to moderate simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes (longer if your cauliflower is particularly large). Drain.
  • Brush the cauliflower with olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, the Aleppo pepper, and sesame seeds.
  • Place in a baking dish. Situate dish in the center of the oven, and bake until the top turns golden brown, about 1 hour. The outside of the cauliflower should be crisp and the inside soft as butter.
  • Sprinkle with smoked salt.
  • Serve with yogurt sauce and oven-roasted grapes.

Yogurt Sauce

  • Combine the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, Aleppo pepper and salt in a small bowl until well blended. Add in the yogurt and mix well. Top with the fresh chives.

Roasted Grapes

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Place grapes on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine the Aleppo pepper and maple syrup. When grapes come out of the oven, drizzle the mixture over the hot grapes and toss to coat. Serve scattered around the roasted cauliflower.

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