Home Kitchen Roasted Cauliflower Shawarma Chickpea Salad

It’s always fun transitioning from summer recipes into fall.

I’m simply itching to braise, slow cook and roast all the things. So, first up is cauliflower.

Whether tossed in robust spices or topped with cheddar, roasting cauliflower is my regular way to enjoy it. But roasted cauliflower tossed in a salad is simply as satisfying, if not more. Especially if it’s tossed with crispy, shwarma roasted chickpeas and tahini dressing.

In this salad your tastebuds are assaulted (in the dependable possible way of course) with a plethora of textures and flavor. The dependable part? Is that the shawarma seasoning works its way into the dressing when you toss the salad. Coating everything in lemon tahini shawarma deliciousness.

Here’s a little meatless for your Monday. Or serve as a side dish to your regular protein, like chicken or seafood.

For this Roasted Cauliflower Shawarma Chickpea Salad Gather:

• 1 small head of cauliflower
• a (15 ounce) can chickpeas
• shawarma seasoning
• lemon pepper
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• arugula
• cilantro
• parsley
• red onion
• green onion
• pine nuts

Last week I shared my recipe for a truly simple, lemon tahini dressing. And that is exactly what we’re dressing this salad with.

Preheat your oven to 400℉ (200℃).

Cut the cauliflower into large, bite-size florets. Rinse and pat dry before tossing it onto a rimmed, metal baking sheet with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Then, toss the (drained, rinsed and patted dry) chickpeas with 1 tablespoon of light olive oil, 1 rounded teaspoon shawarma seasoning and 1 teaspoon lemon pepper.

Next, slide both pans with the cauliflower and the chickpeas onto the middle two racks of your preheated 400° oven. Then roast the cauliflower for about 35 to 40 minutes.

Meanwhile only roast the shawarma chickpeas for about 30 to 35 minutes or until crisp and toasted. Shake the pans halfway through roasting.

While the cauliflower and chickpeas roast, add couple tablespoons of pine nuts into a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Toast for about 5 to 8 minutes or until fragrant and golden brown. Stir occasionally to prevent the nuts from burning.

Next toss 5 ounces of baby arugula with 1 tablespoon each of finely minced cilantro and parsley in a medium bowl.

Then toss to combine.

Place the herbed arugula and onions onto a platter or in a large serving bowl. Top with some of the roasted cauliflower, crispy shawarma chickpeas and green onions.

If you have any roasted cauliflower leftover, it can be saved for another meal.

Lastly, drizzle with the lemon tahini dressing and top with a few extra grinds of freshly ground black pepper.

This roasted cauliflower shawarma chickpea salad is satisfying yet light. The flavor and textures are addictively satisfying.

I have no doubt unfussy to crave this salad.

Enjoy! And if you give this Cauliflower Shawarma Chickpea Salad recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!