Cauliflower steaks have quickly become one of my favorite ways to enjoy this often-overlooked vegetable. They're surprisingly satisfying and offer a blank canvas for creative flavor combinations. My friend, Maya, introduced me to this amazing dish. She's a total foodie, always whipping up new and exciting recipes in her tiny Brooklyn kitchen. This recipe builds on that idea, taking simple cauliflower and elevating it to a whole new level of deliciousness. It's a recipe that's both impressive and surprisingly easy to make, perfect for weeknight dinners or a special occasion.
The star of this show is, of course, the smoked paprika. It adds a depth of smoky flavor that's hard to resist. This, coupled with the sharp, nutty taste of Manchego cheese, creates a flavor profile that's both exciting and comforting. I like to think of this as a celebration of simple ingredients, transformed into something truly special. The cauliflower itself becomes a hearty, satisfying base, while the cheese provides a luxurious touch. It's the kind of dish that makes people stop and say, 'Wow, this is good!'
Required Equipments
- Large oven-safe skillet or baking sheet
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Vegetable peeler
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Grater
Smoked Paprika Cauliflower Steaks with Manchego Cheese
This recipe for Smoked Paprika Cauliflower Steaks with Manchego Cheese is a flavor explosion! Easy to make, elegant to present, and totally satisfying.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 2 servings
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Make sure it's nice and hot to get those amazing roasted edges on the cauliflower.
- Wash and trim your cauliflower: Remove any damaged leaves and carefully trim the stem. You can leave about an inch or so for easier handling.
- Cut into steaks: Using your chef's knife, cut the cauliflower into 1-inch thick steaks. This is probably easier if the cauliflower's fairly big. Try to make them as uniform as possible for even cooking.
- Peel (optional): For a more elegant presentation, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove some of the outer tough leaves of the cauliflower. But hey, it's still delicious with or without peeling!
- Make the spice rub: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. This is your magic dust!
- Coat the cauliflower: Generously coat both sides of each cauliflower steak with the spice rub, making sure all surfaces are evenly covered. Get that paprika really stuck on there.
- Roast the cauliflower: Place the cauliflower steaks in a large, oven-safe skillet or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If your skillet has sides, that's even better as it helps keep things even.
- Roast the cauliflower: Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Watch carefully–every oven is different. You'll know they're done when the edges are nicely browned and the inside is tender but still slightly firm.
- Add the cheese: Once the cauliflower steaks are nearly done, remove them from the oven and sprinkle them generously with grated Manchego cheese. If you're feeling fancy, you could also add some other stuff.
- Broil (optional): For extra melty, bubbly cheese, place the skillet back in the oven under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, keeping a very close eye on things to prevent burning.
- Serve immediately: Serve these delicious cauliflower steaks immediately. They're amazing on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with roasted vegetables or a simple salad. Enjoy!
📝 Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a drizzle of olive oil before roasting.
- If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the spice rub. I sometimes throw in some chili flakes too if I feel like adding a spicy kick.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses! A nice nutty Pecorino would be wonderful here, too!
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 300
Protein: 10g
Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 5g
Calcium: 100mg
