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Home Collections Roasts

Roasted Cauliflower with Almond Sauce (Ester Restaurant)

By:Nagi
Published:25 Mar '15Updated:14 Sep '20
72 Comments
Recipe v

This roasted cauliflower is the signature dish from Ester Restaurant which is one of Sydney’s trendiest restaurants. It’s not like me to order a head of cauliflower at a restaurant but I’m so glad I did because it was sensational! So I was thrilled to find the chef’s recipe. And it’s SO easy to make!

Ester's Roasted Cauliflower with Almond Sauce on a white plate

Roasted Cauliflower

Ester Restaurant in Chippendale has been one of the hottest restaurants in Sydney for a couple of years now. I went there recently with low expectations, thinking that it would be another “trendy” restaurant that was big on cool factor but mediocre on delivery.

Ester Restaurant
Image from Ester Restaurant website. If I had known how good it was going to be, I would have taken my camera!

I love being proved wrong! (Eerm, well, for something like this!!) I was floored by how fantastic it was. Modern western food with a very subtle Asian twist which seems appropriate given the restauranteur, Mat Lindsay, is the former head chef of Billy Kwong (Kylie Kwong’s restaurant). Every dish had a little unexpected twist to it that gave it a “wow” factor. Nothing too drastic / try-hard / fancy, just little things. Like classic chargrilled prawns with burnt butter (delicious, but ordinary) transformed into knock-your-socks-off fantastic with the addition of a little tamari. I wanted to lick the plate but settled for mopping it clean with bread. Mind blowingly delicious. Ester's Roasted Cauliflower with Almond Sauce on dark plate

So this roasted cauliflower is from Ester Restaurant. It’s one of their signature dishes which I knew before I went, otherwise I can tell you for sure that I never would have ordered a roasted head of cauliflower at a restaurant.

And I am SO glad I did. It is seriously amazing how char grilling a cauliflower can transform a somewhat drab recipe into something worthy of being served at a two-hat restaurant (Australia’s answer to michelin star ratings).

I found the recipe on Gourmet Traveller Australia and it is the recipe from the restaurant. It is really easy to make. The restaurant serves it with an almond sauce which is quite rich, though you don’t use much. It’s like a mayonnaise made with almond meal. I’ve also made it with a yoghurt lemon sauce (diet food that’s big on flavour!) and a yoghurt tahini sauce (the creamy sesame flavour goes really well with the cauliflower) so I’ve provided those recipes as well because they are alternatives that are lighter as well as faster to make.

I don’t share much meat-free dishes. So when I do, you know there’s a good reason for it! – Nagi


More cauliflower recipes

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  • Garlic Butter Cauliflower Pasta with Pangrattato

  • Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Crunchy Bread Chunks

  • Creamy, Dreamy Cauliflower Soup

  • Chipotle Lime Roasted Cauliflower

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Ester's Roasted Cauliflower with Almond Sauce on white plate

Roasted Cauliflower with Almond Sauce (Ester Restaurant)

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Meal, Vegetable
5 from 13 votes
Servings4 as a side
Tap or hover to scale
Print
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This is a signature dish from Ester restaurant in Sydney, Australia which is one of the top restaurants in Australia, as well as being one of the trendiest. The recipe was provided by the restaurant to Gourmet Traveller Australia which is where I found it. The restaurant chargrills it in an enormous wood fired oven. I don't have one of those in my tiny kitchen but the chargrill flavour is easy to recreate using the grill/broiler. I've provided two alternative sauce options because the almond sauce is quite rich and also sometimes I can't be bothered to pull out my food processor to make the sauce. 🙂

Ingredients

Almond Sauce

  • 1 cup almond meal
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil , separated
  • 2 tbsp brown rice vinegar (or rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
  • Black pepper

Roasted Cauliflower

  • 1 large head of cauliflower (Note 1)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 lemon , juice only
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup almonds , roughly chopped and lightly toasted in a dry frypan
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (packed)

Instructions

Almond Sauce

  • Place the almond meal, water and 2 tbsp of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the almond meal starts to swell - around 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Pour the almond mixture into a blender or small food processor and whiz until smooth. Add brown rice vinegar and salt and whizz to mix.
  • With the blender running, add the egg yolks then pour the oil in a thin stream. Keep whizzing while you pour and the sauce will become thick and creamy. Taste to check the salt and pepper, then set aside (keep at room temperature).

Roasted Cauliflower

  • Cut the cauliflower into quarters (leaving most of the outer leaves on). Cut off a bit of the core, otherwise it won't cook through because it is thicker (see photo below).
  • Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the cauliflower, bring back to boil then boil for 3 minutes. (Alternatively you could steam it.)
  • Drain and leave the cauliflower to steam dry for 10 minutes. It also continues cooking.
  • Preheat the grill/broiler on high and place the rack around 20cm/8" from the heat source.
  • Drizzle the cauliflower with olive oil then place under the grill/broiler for 5 minutes until nicely charred, then turn the cauliflower and char the other side for a few minutes.
  • Remove the cauliflower from under the grill/broiler and drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

To Serve

  • Spread about 3/4 cup of the Almond Sauce on a plate. Place the cauliflower on top, sprinkle over the almonds and mint.
  • This can be served warm or at room temperature.

Recipe Notes:

1. The cauliflower I used was around 25cm / 10" in diameter.
2. This recipe makes more Almond Sauce than you need because it is hard to make a smaller amount. Reserve leftovers in the fridge and drizzle over roasted vegetables or meats.
3. The Almond Sauce is quite rich. So here are two other simple sauces that go really well with this that are lighter and faster / easier to make.
Lemon Yoghurt Sauce - a simple sauce alternative that matches superbly with roasted cauliflower. Mix together 1 cup of creamy plain yoghurt with 1/2 tsp salt, black pepper, 1 small garlic clove (minced), 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 to 2 tbsp of lemon juice. Place in the refrigerator for the flavours to develop for 20 minutes. Variation: Add 3/4 tsp cumin powder to give this dish a Middle Eastern twist.
Yoghurt Tahini Sauce - creamier than then Lemon Yoghurt Sauce but still much lighter than the Almond Sauce! Mix together 3/4 cup of creamy plain yoghurt with 2 tbsp of tahini, 1/2 tsp salt, black pepper and 2 tbsp of lemon juice. Place in the refrigerator until required.
4. Nutrition assuming 4 servings which is a fairly substantial serving (1/4 cabbage per person). Ester Restaurant Roasted Cauliflower Almond Sauce Nutrition

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 144gCalories: 418cal (21%)Carbohydrates: 9.7g (3%)Protein: 7.4g (15%)Fat: 41.2g (63%)Saturated Fat: 5.3g (33%)Cholesterol: 52mg (17%)Sodium: 607mg (26%)Potassium: 432mg (12%)Fiber: 5.4g (23%)Sugar: 2.6g (3%)Vitamin A: 550IU (11%)Vitamin C: 44.6mg (54%)Calcium: 110mg (11%)Iron: 2.7mg (15%)
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.
Roasted Cauliflower Almond Sauce - a chef recipe, easy to make. There's a reason why this is a signature dish at one of Sydney's top restaurants (Ester)

 

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72 Comments

  1. Susan says

    March 27, 2015 at 2:52 am

    What a wonderful recipe to share! I love roasted cauliflower. Because of the calorie content, I would be far more likely to make your sauce variations than the original (that just seems like waaaaaayyy too much oil). But would also try the original and just serve very little of it.

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 27, 2015 at 5:51 am

      And that’s exactly why I provided the variations 🙂 It is alot of oil, but actually, per serving you don’t end up using much. You don’t need much, the cauliflower is so yum even plain! Who knew some burnt bits could totally transform cauliflower?!

      Reply
  2. mira says

    March 27, 2015 at 1:23 am

    What a great dish Nagi! Love cauliflower! Never cooked it in quarters, but will definitely do! Love the pictures 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 27, 2015 at 5:53 am

      Thanks Mira! I KNEW you would like this. Meat free heaven!! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Allie | Baking a Moment says

    March 27, 2015 at 12:00 am

    I actually love meatless meals, and this one sounds soooo satisfying! I’m loving that almond sauce- this is a must-make for sure!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 27, 2015 at 5:56 am

      Thanks Allie!! I’m not a cauliflower gal….but this has converted me!

      Reply
  4. Bam's Kitchen says

    March 26, 2015 at 10:18 pm

    5 stars
    Roasted cauliflower on its own is very tasty but with that delicious almond sauce it takes it over the top. Steam drying is a fun concept and I know that works. Have you even gotten busy in the kitchen while stir frying broccoli and then just leave the lid on while you do other things?… and then you come back to find that your bright beautiful broccoli has just turned an ugly split pea color and is now overcooked…Been there…done that… I can’t wait to try this delicious recipe! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 27, 2015 at 5:57 am

      Burning things in the wok? Of course. ALL the time!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Krista Bjorn says

    March 26, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    5 stars
    That sounds absolutely fantastic. 🙂 I love a good, hearty sauce with my veggies. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 27, 2015 at 5:57 am

      Thank you Krista!! I do love this sauce….it’s all about the sauce! (And burnt bits 🙂 )

      Reply
  6. Shinee says

    March 26, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    Oh wow, I’d have never ordered head of cauliflower in a restaurant too. But this looks stunning! Cauliflower is on my grocery list now. Thanks for sharing this, Nagi. Was the restaurant version this beautiful too? Nah, I doubt it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      The restaurant version is much prettier!! Those chefs know how to style 🙂 Thanks Shinee, you’re so nice!

      Reply
  7. Kevin | keviniscooking says

    March 26, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    Been seeing more and more of these whole head roasted cauliflower dishes and the presentation and idea has me intrigued. This one sounds so good from the char of the cauliflower to the almond mayonnaise sauce you have going on, too. Delicious!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 6:29 pm

      I’ll tell you Kevin, I was cynical, but I’m converted now! But the burnt bits are a MUST! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Nancy | Plus Ate Six says

    March 26, 2015 at 10:02 am

    5 stars
    I’m a sucker for roast cauliflower (does that make me weird?) So I would have ordered it anyway 🙂 Gorgeous idea to roast and serve it in quarters it looks just stunning.

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 10:37 am

      I’m totally into roast cauliflower now!! Obsessed with it. Just back from the grocery store and bought another head!!!

      Reply
  9. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    March 26, 2015 at 9:47 am

    5 stars
    Wow, what a recommendation and coming from a food lover who’s enjoyed the best food from around the world, we should take heed. 🙂

    This cauliflower wouldn’t have gotten a nod from me either but now I have to try it and I think I’d want it with all of the sauces, one after the other. Just for investigation purposes.

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 10:38 am

      Oh, I knew you wouldn’t order this either!! I went with a group and I never would have permitted it to be one of the “mains” except I was told it was a signature dish!! You’re too funny Maureen!! 🙂 (PS our Coffs trip got CANNED! Bummer. Will keep you informed if we end up somewhere your way though, I’m coming to take over the spare room!)

      Reply
  10. Caroline @ Shrinking Single says

    March 26, 2015 at 9:28 am

    I love cauliflower – normally smothered in cheese sauce. The almond sauce sounds like a great change. And how gorgeous is that photo!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 10:39 am

      Caroline….the thought of cheese sauce on cauliflower makes my knees weak….I mean, cheese sauce on ANYTHING, right? 🙂

      Reply
      • Kylie Lawson says

        March 27, 2015 at 12:35 am

        I’m with you on that one Nagi

        Reply
  11. Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says

    March 26, 2015 at 8:37 am

    I absolutely love cauliflower!!! That almond sauce sounds absolutely divine. This is going on my Sunday night roast list!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 10:39 am

      Does all the cauliflower you eat to counteract all the baked goodies you make?? 😉

      Reply
  12. Oana @ Adore Foods says

    March 26, 2015 at 7:42 am

    5 stars
    I can almost taste your perfectly roasted cauliflower with almond sauce! That great your photos are 🙂 Such a simple dish, yet so promising…I bet it is packed with amazing flavors. I wish I had a cauliflower in my fridge, as I am writing…Pinned to make it asap!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 10:40 am

      Thanks Iana!! It really is incredible how such a simple dish can taste so amazing. It’s the burnt bits that “make” this!! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says

    March 26, 2015 at 7:42 am

    Oh, I love how the outer leaves are left on – cauliflowers are starting to look good here so will make this very soon – thanks Nagi!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 10:41 am

      Rach, with the amazing produce you get where you are, this will be a major knock out! I had to make do with ordinary grocery store cauliflower! And even then it was stellar… 🙂

      Reply
  14. nicole (thespicetrain.com) says

    March 26, 2015 at 7:33 am

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness, I can’t believe how beautiful this cauliflower is. Art on a plate!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      Thanks Nic! Who ever thought that the words “cauliflower” and “art” would be in the same sentence?? 😉

      Reply
  15. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    March 26, 2015 at 6:59 am

    I totally love roast cauliflower! Never cooked it in quarters, though — have to try that. Really good recipe. And nice lighting on the photos — like the way you’ve positioned it so it rakes across the cauliflower, emphasizing its texture.

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 7:33 am

      Thanks John!! I never thought to cook it in quarters either 🙂 Gotta love ripping off ideas from fancy restaurants!!

      Reply
  16. Sarah @ Savoring Spoon says

    March 26, 2015 at 6:59 am

    What an interesting recipe! I haven’t tried cooking a whole cauliflower before, but it looks really pretty and healthy!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 7:33 am

      Thanks Sarah! It really is super healthy and sooo tasty. That’s saying something, coming from such a meat eater as myself!

      Reply
  17. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says

    March 26, 2015 at 6:52 am

    superb! such a great idea for using cauliflower!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 7:34 am

      Thanks Kelsey!! I don’t take ANY credit for this, it is a recipe from a restaurant I went to!

      Reply
  18. Lokness @ The Missing Lowness says

    March 26, 2015 at 6:40 am

    Stunning presentation! No idea that you can use almond meal to make a sauce. Sounds totally impossible! I bet it goes really well with the nicely roasted cauliflower. Can’t wait to make this!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 7:35 am

      Thanks so much Lokness!! But I take no credit for it, I plated it up the same way they do at the restaurant!

      Reply
  19. Kristen @ The Endless Meal says

    March 26, 2015 at 6:37 am

    5 stars
    I’m pretty sure I could eat the whole head of cauliflower myself lol! Love cauliflower!!

    I’m going to try making the sauce this weekend. It sounds delicious. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 7:35 am

      I am usually more interested in a rack of ribs than cauliflower….but THIS is an exception! I ate half in one sitting for dinner!

      Reply
  20. Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says

    March 26, 2015 at 6:27 am

    5 stars
    Now this is the kind of veggie dish that’s a meal on it’s own. It looks like a flavor bomb (in a good way!!)

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      March 26, 2015 at 7:39 am

      I call it “meat free for carnivores”…..!! 🙂

      Reply
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