Raw Cauliflower Salad with Sweet Lemon Dressing

I first made this thrown together Raw Cauliflower Salad with Sweet Lemon Dressing using orange cauliflower aka "cheddar" cauliflower [tastes nothing like cheese, sorry!], but it's definitely not a necessary component of this recipe, in fact, it tastes no different than your classic white cauliflower. The main difference in the orange variety is that it contains 25% more Vitamin A than the white variety due to it's ability to hold onto the antioxidant beta carotene. Beta carotene gets converted to retinol [Vitamin A] in our body which helps to maintain not only our eye health but our immune system and the integrity of our skin.

As most veggies are, cauliflower is low calorie and nutrient dense. It's a good source of many vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, folate and potassium, and can be seen sneaking it's way into smoothies, rice dishes and pizza crusts. 

You can go vibrant with cheddar cauliflower, use your go-to white variety, or even try purple if you are trying to eat the rainbow! If you go the traditional white cauliflower route, you could even use pre-packaged cauliflower rice [fresh or frozen and thawed] for a finer consistency, or use a food processor to chop your own.

Pair this with a savory protein like my 20 Minute Turkey Meatballs, Hot Sauce Baked Chicken, Mustard Marinated Tempeh, or for some sweet-on-sweet action, try it with my Honey Dijion Wild Caught Salmon or Sweet Sesame + Thyme Baked Tofu.

raw cauliflower salad with sweet lemon dressing

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large or 2 small heads of cauliflower [~4 1/2 cups riced]

  • 1/3 cup  raisins

  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

  • 1 scallion, chopped, greens only

  • 1/3 cup olive oil

  • 1/4  cup apple cider vinegar

  • 2 lemons, juiced

  • 1 tbsp. honey

  • 1 tbsp. mustard

  • dash red pepper flakes

  • black pepper + salt, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Roughly chop cauliflower until it's in bite size pieces [or use riced cauliflower] and add to a large bowl with raisins, pumpkin seeds, and scallions.

  2. In a small food processor, blender or small bowl with a whisk, mix together remaining ingredients to make the Sweet Lemon Dressing [makes a little less than 1 cup].

  3. Pour 1/2 of the dressing over the cauliflower mixture and toss to combine. Add more dressing depending on your preference or reserve for leftovers. Enjoy!

Main Dishes, Lunch, Side Dishes, Dinner, SaladsLara Harriscauliflower, salad, easy recipe, quick recipe, salad dressingComment