Description
It’s a super easy recipe loaded with flavor! I used Sorghum because I wanted a gluten-free grain, but feel free to use Pearl Barley or any grain of choice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper
- juice 1/2 lemon
- 1 cup rinsed sorghum
- 1 bunch Tuscan kale, leaves pulled from the stalk and roughly torn
- A handful of shelled walnuts, about 50g/2oz
- 1-2 cloves of garlic minced
- 30g/1 oz freshly grated vegan Parmigiano
- Olive oil (quality)
- Salt & pepper
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
Sorghum:
- Cook according to package directions. Make this first, as it takes the longest to cook.
Pesto:
- While the sorghum is cooking, strip the kale leaves off their thick stems and blanch them in boiling water for about 3 minutes. (Do not discard water)
- Drain the kale leaves in a colander over a bowl, saving the water. Run the colander under ice-cold water. Pat the leaves dry and roughly chop.
- Add the blanched kale leaves, walnuts, garlic, and a small pinch of salt to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until you have a rough paste.
- Drizzle in enough olive oil while the processor runs to produce a smooth and dense paste. (about 1/2 cup of oil).
- Add pesto to a small mixing bowl. Mix in the grated parmesan cheese—taste for seasoning.
- If needed, thin it out with some kale cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, until you have a very thick but pourable mixture.
Cauliflower:
- Prepare cauliflower by placing a baking sheet in the center oven rack and preheating oven to 450ºF.
- Cut the cauliflower into small florets and add to a large bowl. Toss with olive oil, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Carefully arrange cauliflower out onto the preheated baking sheet in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning pieces halfway through, until lightly charred and tender.
- Remove from oven and add to a mixing bowl.
- Squeeze or drizzle lemon juice over the cauliflower.
- Add Cavolo Nero pesto to sorghum and mix well.
- Top sorghum pesto with roasted cauliflower, shaved Parmesan cheese, crushed walnuts, and red pepper flakes (to taste).
- Enjoy!
Notes
I love the addition of the red pepper flakes. If you don’t like the dried flakes’ heat, feel free to leave them off.