finding time for cooking

for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

  • Recipes By Type
    • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Goodies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes & Veggies
    • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
    • Snacks
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
    • Best Cocktail Gifts: For the At-Home Bartender or Mixologist
  • Foods I’m Obsessed With
    • 30 Minutes or Less…for the Time-Challenged Cook
    • What Bread To Make (Based on Your Time)
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Super Healthy
    • Cooking for One
    • Soup
    • Unleavened Bread Recipes
  • About Me
    • Get In Touch!
    • How-Tos
    • Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With
    • Recipes Index
    • Food and Travel—Two of My Favorite Things
    • Bunion Surgery Recovery Tips

Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Dates, and Thyme

November 3, 2018

I am a well-known lover of cauliflower, but even I was surprised by how fervently I fell in love with this recipe.  I tried it kind of on a whim, just to mix things up from my normal grill foil packet cauliflower (which is bomb, and I’ve made literally every night for like four months).

But I took one bite and said out loud (in a room by myself), “OH MY WORD THIS IS AMAZING!”  My cats looked at me weird.  Whatever, they’re totally missing out.

Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Dates, & Thyme | finding time for cooking blog

The flavor combo of this roasted cauliflower is crazy and intense.  It’s such a perfect blend of sweet, savory, crunchy, and earthy.  I would never have thought to pair really ANY of these together, but the result is absolutely sublime.

Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Dates, & Thyme | finding time for cooking blog

And you know what’s bonus??  It’s super easy too.  There’s very little hands-on time, and it can all come together in under half an hour—basically the time it takes for the cauliflower to roast.  It makes a perfect side dish alongside simple things like grilled or baked chicken, and I’ve even had it as a lighter vegetarian dinner as well.

Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Dates, & Thyme | finding time for cooking blog

You might also like:  Korean BBQ Cauliflower & Chickpeas

Preheat oven to 400 F.  I put foil down on my baking sheet for easy cleanup.  If you’re making the full recipe, I strongly recommend using two baking sheets, because you don’t want to crowd your cauliflower.  Place the cauliflower florets on the baking sheet(s) and drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil.  Sprinkle with the Za’atar spice, salt, and pepper and toss to coat.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and fork-tender.  Check the a couple times during cooking and give them a good stir.  (Side note, I’ve also done my normal grilled cauliflower in a foil packet and just added the Za’atar, and it turned out awesome too).

If your dates are nice and soft, you can skip this step, but I typically prefer to re-hydrate my dates slightly as they’re a bit dry and hard.  To do this, heat up a bit of water in a bowl and then drop the dates in there.  Leave for several minutes to soften.

You might also like:  Roasted Vegetable & Farro Salad with Creamy Shallot Dressing

While the cauliflower is baking, heat a small pan on low-medium heat.  Toast the pine nuts in the dry pan for 1-2 minutes (keep a close eye or they’ll burn!), then add the other teaspoon of olive oil, the chopped dates, and thyme.  Stir these together for an additional minute, then remove from heat.

When your cauliflower is done, remove from the oven and taste a piece to see if it needs more salt or Za’atar (I typically need to add a little more of each).

Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Dates, & Thyme | an easy side dish packed with savory and sweet flavor and lots of texture. Easy light vegetarian entree as well!

You might also like:  Roasted Cauliflower & Aged White Cheddar Soup

Then mix together with the pine nut/date/thyme mixture in a serving bowl.

Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Dates, & Thyme | an easy side dish packed with savory and sweet flavor and lots of texture. Easy light vegetarian entree as well!

Serve this warm and right away, but I can vouch that it makes awesome leftovers too.

Other healthy side dishes you’ll love:

  • Delicious & Easy Kale Salad
  • Pan-Fried New Potatoes
  • Cheesy Grilled Rosemary Sweet Potatoes
  • Maple Vinegar Brussels Sprout & Kale Slaw
  • Roasted Sicilian Cauliflower

Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Dates, and Thyme

Note, I typically halve this recipe to make for myself (and I eat most of it in one sitting because I love it, but technically it should be like 3 servings).  I’ve also done my normal grilled cauliflower in a foil packet and just added the Za’atar (vs. roasting in the oven), and it turned out awesome too.

  • 1 head of cauliflower, broken into bite-size florets
  • 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of Za’atar spice (you can find it at many stores, but can buy on Amazon too)
  • Fresh-ground salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup of pine nuts
  • 1 teaspoon of olive oil
  • 6 Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped (I get mine at Trader Joe’s, but you can get online too)
  • 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme (can substitute rosemary if that’s what you’ve got)
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F.  I put foil down on my baking sheet for easy cleanup.  If you’re making the full recipe, I strongly recommend using two baking sheets, because you don’t want to crowd your cauliflower.
  2. Place the cauliflower florets on the baking sheet(s) and drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil.  Sprinkle with the Za’atar spice, salt, and pepper and toss to coat.
  3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and fork-tender.  Check the a couple times during cooking and give them a good stir.
  4. If your dates are nice and soft, you can skip this step, but I typically prefer to re-hydrate my dates slightly as they’re a bit dry and hard.  To do this, heat up a bit of water in a bowl and then drop the dates in there.  Leave for several minutes to soften.
  5. While the cauliflower is baking, heat a small pan on low-medium heat.  Toast the pine nuts in the dry pan for 1-2 minutes (keep a close eye or they’ll burn!), then add the other teaspoon of olive oil, the chopped dates, and thyme.  Stir these together for an additional minute, then remove from heat.
  6. When your cauliflower is done, remove from the oven and taste a piece to see if it needs more salt or Za’atar (I typically need to add a little more of each).  Then mix together with the pine nut/date/thyme mixture in a serving bowl.  Serve warm, but makes awesome leftovers too.

Original recipe from Downshiftology

Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Dates, & Thyme | an easy side dish packed with savory and sweet flavor and lots of texture. Easy light vegetarian entree as well! #sidedish #cauliflower #roastedcauliflower #vegetarian #medjooldates #pinenuts #thyme #recipe

1 Comment CATEGORIES // Foods I'm Obsessed With, Go-To Recipes, Side Dishes & Veggies, Super Healthy

« Lemon Elderflower Cake With Strawberry Jam (Happy Birthday To Me!)
Cherry Almond Scones »

Comments

  1. Carole from Carole's Chatter says

    November 11, 2019 at 12:45 pm

    Lovely dish – perhaps a tad sweet for me… Thanks

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

Follow Along!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent IG Adventures!

This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my true love) is so delicious and refreshing…and has a secret ingredient to get that intense cherry flavor! 

Get the recipe by tapping on the link in my IG bio and choosing this pic—> @findingtimeforcooking 
#cocktailrecipes #sanguemorlacco #cherrylemonade #gincocktails
I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew ho I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew how easy it is to make at home! This is the best key lime pie recipe around, a perfect balance of tart & sweet, the creamiest custardy filling, and a sweet, buttery graham cracker crust 😍 

Get the recipe yourself by tapping the link in my IG bio & choosing this photo —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#keylimepie #keylime #easydessert #classicdessert
Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loa Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loaded” Thai chicken salad only takes 15 minutes to whip up and is packed with veggies, texture, & flavor! What really makes the dish is the sweet-spicy-savory dressing… *chefs kiss* 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to see the recipe!
#healthyrecipes #thaiflavors #healthydinner #cabbagerecipe
These super easy jam & goat cheese phyllo cups mad These super easy jam & goat cheese phyllo cups made the perfect fancy appetizer for Night To Be…and they’re ready in just 15-ish minutes! 

Tap the link in my bio & click this photo to see the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#appetizers #phyllodough #goatcheese #easyrecipes
This crazy easy orange curd is the perfect balance This crazy easy orange curd is the perfect balance of sweet, tart, & just a hint of floral…and only takes 5-10 minutes to make! Perfect heaped on crepes, cakes, and more 💕

Tap the link in my bio & click on this photo to see the recipe —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#citrusfruit #orangecurd #glutenfree #cookingtips
Two kitchen hacks for the price of one!!! 🎉🐓 Two kitchen hacks for the price of one!!! 🎉🐓 How to make the easiest, juiciest (hands-off) poached chicken breasts, & then how to shred chicken in 10 seconds. YES, you read that right!! These two techniques combined have been a mainstay for me lately, critical in helping me have something healthy and fast around at all times. 

Check out my Reel in the feed as well, & click on the link in my bio then tap this pic to get the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#kitchenhacks #cookinghealthy #cookinghacks #shreddedchicken
I’m ready for the amaretto sour to make a comeba I’m ready for the amaretto sour to make a comeback! And this recipe (including bourbon) is just the ticket…a little sweet, a little bitter, and a little boozy. 

Tap the link in my IG bio then tap this photo to see the (super easy) recipe —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#amaretto #easycocktails #amarettosour #homebartender
These delicious spicy unleavened cheese straws are These delicious spicy unleavened cheese straws are my favorite new recipe for the Days of Unleavened Bread! They’re super easy, can be frozen before or after baking (make ahead!) and honestly would make an awesome appetizer any time of year. 

Tap the link in my IG bio (@findingtimeforcooking) then click on this photo to see the recipe post!
#unleavenedbread #cheeselover #appetizerideas #bakingfromscratch
The ultimate “don’t judge a book by its cover” recipe…these dark chocolate sables are maybe the best chocolate cookie ever! Complex, rich without being too sweet, melt in your mouth…and perfect for a late afternoon snack 😍 Shoutout #smittenkitchen for the recipe and reco!

Tap the link in my bio & choose this photo to see the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#bakingfromscratch #chocolatelovers #sablé #chocoholic
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Popular Posts

Snickerdoodle Biscotti

Chai Spice Banana Bread

Lemon Raspberry Cake with Raspberry Frosting

Sweet Corn Cake with Tart Lemon Glaze

Peach Cupcakes With Peach Cream Cheese Frosting

Recent Posts

  • Cherry & Lemon Gin Cocktail…a.k.a. Cher…
  • The (IMO) Best Homemade Key Lime Pie
  • Super Easy & Healthy “Loaded” Tha…

Categories

  • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
  • Bread Recipes
  • Breakfast Goodies
  • Cooking for One
  • Desserts
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
  • Eating Out
  • Family Secret Recipes
  • Food-Related Miscellany
  • Foods I'm Obsessed With
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Go-To Recipes
  • How-Tos
  • Kitchen Gear
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe Experimentation
  • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
  • Side Dishes & Veggies
  • Snacks
  • Soup
  • Super Healthy
  • Travel and Food

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Copyright & Terms of Use

Copyright 2022 Finding Time For Cooking

88 shares