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You are here: Home / Good Eats / Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

May 1, 2015 by Meghan 43 Comments

Cauliflower is the Superman of the vegetable family.

Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad

I mean really when you think about it, there’s no comparison. Is it faster than a speeding bullet? Obviously. More powerful than a locomotive? Pffft, no problem. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Ha, cauliflower’s got that shit in the bag.

Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad

It is the Queen of versatility, the master of disguises, and the chameleon in our midst. That bird and plane business, “amateur hour,” she says waving her hand dismissively. I don’t see Superman turning himself into a pizza crust one minute or mashed potatoes the next, and you can just forget about faux fried rice or breadless breadsticks.

Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad

While all those fancy pants methods of preparing cauliflower are surely fantastic, I want to keep things simple today and focus on the Clark Kent aspects of this cruciferous vegetable.

Subtle, yet alluring.

Simple, yet elegant.

Easy, yet dashing.

Modest, yet daring. 

Here, cauliflower is the star of the show in all it’s uncomplicated glory.

Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad

There is something magical, yes in a superhero way, that happens to cauliflower when you roast it at high heat. Suddenly this bulbous vegetable transforms from daytime Clark to nighttime Clark in a fitted shirt with a five o’clock shadow. The tips caramelize, bringing out its sweet and nutty flavor. The florets lose their abrasive texture, becoming more malleable, while maintaining their strength. It goes from mild mannered to bold and beautiful in a matter of minutes.

The addition of chickpeas, toasted pine nuts, and avocado elevate this recipe from a simple side dish to a full meal. They add healthy fats and protein, not to mention varying degrees of texture from the silky smooth avocado to the crunchy, buttery pine nuts. The combination of flavors is akin a superhero employing all their powers at once. It’s unstoppable, which is why cauliflower is the Superman of the vegetable family.

Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad

Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad
2015-04-29 18:51:55
Serves 4
This roasted cauliflower salad with chickpeas, avocado, green onions and pine nuts not only tastes amazing but is textural perfection too.
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
40 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
40 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 small Cauliflower cut into florets, approximately 6 cups
  2. 4 Tbsps. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided into 2 Tbsps. and 2 Tbsps.
  3. Salt & Pepper
  4. 1 Avocado, diced
  5. 1/8 cup Pine Nuts, toasted*
  6. 1/2 a 15 ounce can of Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  7. 1 Green Onion, white and light green parts, diced
  8. 1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
  9. 1 tsp. Lemon Zest
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Cut cauliflower into florets. Toss with 2 Tbsp. olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Spread onto a rimmed cookie sheet, and roast in the oven for 25 - 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through. The tips will be brown and crispy when it's done.
  3. While the cauliflower is roasting away, cut up your avocado, toast your pine nuts*, and drain and rinse your chickpeas. Add all of these to a medium sized bowl. When done, add the cooked cauliflower to this same bowl.
  4. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice, and 1 tsp. lemon zest to the bowl and toss to coat everything. Top with green onions and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
  5. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Notes
  1. *To toast pine nuts: cook in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until brown spots appear, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  2. Serves 4 people as a side dish or two as an entrée.
By Meghan McCarthy
Clean Eats, Fast Feets http://cleaneatsfastfeets.com/
Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad. Healthy, satisfying and delicous.

What’s your favorite method of preparing cauliflower? Which vegetable do you consider to be the Superman of the produce community?

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Filed Under: Good Eats, Reflections Tagged With: Clean Eating, CSA, funny, gluten-free, healthy, recipe, Recipe Alert, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian

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Comments

  1. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    May 1, 2015 at 7:47 AM

    I’m laughing over the Clark 5 o’clock shadow analogy, because it’s spot on 🙂 Unfortunately for me the bad boy veggie is one of the worst for my stomach! I do love it and even have a recipe on my site, but I’ve given up. Wish I could eat this salad though, cauli is delicious and goes with everything.
    Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…No Bake Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough BitesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:20 PM

      Oh no! That’s too bad, especially because cauliflower is one of my favorites. I’ve actually eaten entire heads in a single sitting before. Oops.
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Sara says

    May 1, 2015 at 8:35 AM

    I get annoyed when people say cauliflower is boring. I’m like, um what?! Then I go off about everything you just said, and you can see their mind is blown. Pizza crust? Mashed “potato”?? 🙂
    Sara recently posted…the century clubMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:21 PM

      Cauliflower is King!
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Suzy says

    May 1, 2015 at 9:20 AM

    I’m such a donkey in the kitchen that it has only been in the last few months that I knew to roast my (non-root) veggies in the oven. My kids have eaten more broccoli and brussells sprouts in the last couple of months than their entire lives combined, because of how crazy tasty roasted veggies are! I’ll try this salad and see if they eat it. You rule! Hee Haw.
    Suzy recently posted…Blended Family Friday: When Unicorns Spray BrownMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:22 PM

      Yep, roasting veggies brings out their sweetness and makes them all crispy, crunchy good. Once you go roasted, you never go back.
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  4. caren says

    May 1, 2015 at 10:41 AM

    that looks freaking amaze-balls. I dare anyone to hate cauliflower. Double dog dare.
    caren recently posted…Zen and the Art of Baking With Protein PowderMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:24 PM

      I like the way you think.
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  5. Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says

    May 1, 2015 at 10:59 AM

    Oh yum! This salad looks seriously delicious. I love cauliflower, especially when roasted… Maybe we’ll give this a try this weekend.
    Marnie @ SuperSmartMama recently posted…A Good Week to be HomeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:30 PM

      I certainly hope you give it a whirl. It’s a refreshing and delicious salad; perfect for Spring.
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  6. danielle says

    May 1, 2015 at 12:38 PM

    good gawd this looks scrumptious, i wish i could find just something to not love about this, but alas i can’t. i’m seriously loving all of your recipes. i DO love this albino broccoli freakazoid. when i was a kid i actually thought cauliflower was just pale, under-sunned broccoli. it is, right? it looks like a brain as well. despite my weird ideas about it, i always loved the stuff, especially when mixed with unctious avocado like your recipe, mmmmm.
    the first time i fell in love with Sir Caul was around age 12; my mom married my British stepfather and suddenly we ate all-things-British, which lovingly included baked cauliflower cheese. basically just a whole cauliflower covered in a cheesy, bechamel sauce, then sprinkled with crumbs and baked. i think it had an extra sprinkling of gruyere because my mom loves stinky cheese. oh yes, cauliflower. simple and divine, and is such a great flavor carrier…
    for our 2nd date, my husband and i made cauliflower pizza crusts. we made three versions of them because he’s a geek and i was intrigued and curious. who’s recipe and conoction would win. well mine did, of course. haha! i tried to let him win though, i said his tasted the best but we both couldn’t overlook the fact that both of his fell apart. but hey, it’s all about the flavor, right? flavor FLAVE!!!! booh-yeah.
    i think my superhuman veggie changes all of the damn time. right now i’m having a carrot frenzy, i can’t get enough of them. raw, pureed, roasted, sauced, fried, baked… i think i have an orange deficiency, or a carrot one. plus they are my excuse to eat dip. so yeah.
    flavor FLAVE!

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:32 PM

      Baked cauliflower cheese sounds heaven sent.

      Confession: I have yet to make a cauliflower pizza crust. I like the gluten filled ones too much.
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  7. Kirsten says

    May 1, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    I’m in. I’ve joined. After a last minute ‘it’s 50 and windy I am not going to Grill All The Things’ as planned, I tossed some cauliflower and potato in the oven to roast. Added some mushrooms in another pan, and had my kid boil spaghetti to go with the leftover sauce. I had a massive plate of roasted veggies and everyone had something that was good to them.
    This looks excellent, I’m glad you got up early to get it up!
    Oh, that sounds so naughty.
    Kirsten recently posted…Avocado Queso DipMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:36 PM

      Funny story about Thursday night…remember how exhausted I was? I accidentally locked the Hubby out of the house and then slept through his countless efforts to break in, including a constant ringing of the doorbells which made the cats half mad and race all over the first floor like the hounds of hell were chasing them. Oops, bad wife.
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  8. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    May 1, 2015 at 2:55 PM

    Thank you for the instructions on toasting my nuts.
    Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Kabocha Bacon Drop Biscuits [Recipe]My Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:37 PM

      Just for you, precious. 🙂
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  9. Jess @ PBnJess says

    May 1, 2015 at 4:26 PM

    Unnf this salad is downright sexy. Pinning for later, don’t mind me. Cauliflower is one of the few vegetables I can get my fiance to eat without too much complaining, so this is basically a win-win.

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:39 PM

      I always say they aren’t allowed to complain if they didn’t help make it. 🙂

      Congratulations on the engagement. How fun is it to say, “my fiancé.”
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
      • Jess @ PBnJess says

        May 3, 2015 at 5:36 PM

        Haha so fun to say! We’re only going to be engaged 6 more months so I’m trying to say it as much as I can (aka, I am super obnoxious right now lol).

        Reply
        • Meghan says

          May 4, 2015 at 6:54 AM

          You gotta take advantage while you still can. I understand.
          Meghan recently posted…Scenes from the WeekendMy Profile

          Reply
  10. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    May 1, 2015 at 5:06 PM

    This would probably be a bad time to confess that I actually prier broccoli to cauliflower, eh? *insert monkey with hands over mouth emoji here* That’s not to say that I hate cauli, but broccoli is my Superman *another monkey*

    In all seriousness, though… I wouldn’t throw this salad out of bed. Mostly because I wouldn’t want to pick up the mess later, but still 😛 I want this in my belly… in all its unstoppable glory.
    Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. dairy-free coffee creamer .My Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:43 PM

      I love some broccoli too, so you’re not alone there, although I’m not sure I could pick a favorite between the two. Maybe they can be like Batman and Robin or Tom & Jerry. 🙂
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  11. meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles says

    May 2, 2015 at 4:45 AM

    I love roasted cauliflower. Probably my fave, along with roasted Brussels sprouts. Love even more the combo in this salad with the chick peas and avocado. Yum.
    meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted…Talking pedicures, Red Mango, motherhood & MoreMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:44 PM

      The chickpeas and avocado add so much mouth delight to this salad, not to mention they taste fantastic too.

      Reply
  12. Brittany says

    May 2, 2015 at 5:37 PM

    Ohhh me, oh my! This looks lovely, fresh, filling, and TASTY!
    Brittany recently posted…Love Yourself, Love Your LifeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:48 PM

      I thought you might like this one.
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  13. Valerie says

    May 3, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    This looks so fresh and healthy! It has all my family’s favorite vegetables. I would definitely make this as a main dish salad for dinner.

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:49 PM

      It makes me happy to know cauliflower is one of your family’s favorite veggies.
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  14. Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says

    May 3, 2015 at 12:12 PM

    Roasted cauliflower really is the best! I like to do mine au gratin. This salad looks fantastic too. I love pairing cauliflower with lemon and I love that you added pine nuts – so damn good!
    Chelsea @ Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Month In Review: April 2015My Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:50 PM

      Cauliflower au gratin is phenomenal too. I’m still drooling over that amazing recipe you shared last fall. All of my favorites in one dish.

      Pine nuts are everything!!
      Meghan recently posted…Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Avocado Salad with Lemon VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  15. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    May 3, 2015 at 9:59 PM

    I just realised I got a cheeky teaser of this 😉 Love it my dear.

    Cauliflower is not only Queen, cauliflower is..darn I don’t believe any title is worthy!

    You, my dear, have the best analogies too. Superman, Batman and Beyonce would be proud.

    One of them is not like the other.
    Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…No Bake Apple Cinnamon Muffin BitesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 10, 2015 at 4:58 PM

      Cauliflower is King!!
      Meghan recently posted…Spinach Ramp Pesto RecipeMy Profile

      Reply
  16. lindsay says

    May 3, 2015 at 10:22 PM

    if cauliflower is superman, what vegetable is superwoman? kale? haha. love this, and you, and all the analogies!

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 4, 2015 at 6:55 AM

      I think asparagus should be superwoman. Or maybe artichokes because I love them so.
      Meghan recently posted…Scenes from the WeekendMy Profile

      Reply
  17. All That I'm Eating says

    May 4, 2015 at 4:48 AM

    Love the sound of this and the combination of ingredients, would like to make extra and take to work for lunch the next day.
    All That I’m Eating recently posted…Earl Grey Gin CocktailMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 4, 2015 at 6:56 AM

      It would be great the next day too. The lemon juice should help keep the avocado green and fresh too.
      Meghan recently posted…Scenes from the WeekendMy Profile

      Reply
  18. Erin@BeetsPerMinute says

    May 6, 2015 at 11:24 AM

    Cauliflower is one of my absolute faves ever! This looks wonderful, and sides well with my new chickpea obsession! Totally pinned this recipe! 🙂
    Erin@BeetsPerMinute recently posted…Literally Beets Per Minute #WIAWMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 7, 2015 at 2:35 PM

      As a fellow cauliflower lover, I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for pinning.
      Meghan recently posted…Scenes from the WeekendMy Profile

      Reply
  19. Amanda @ fridaylovesong.net says

    May 8, 2015 at 7:07 PM

    Looks awesome! I wish my fam was down with cauliflower. I do my best to hide that shit like it’s cool.

    My personal fav is roasted.

    If you ask lehubs, he’d say the trash 😉
    Amanda @ fridaylovesong.net recently posted…A Colorful WeekendMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      May 10, 2015 at 8:15 AM

      Maybe they won’t notice it here….except it really is the star of the show.

      Lehubs is missing out.
      Meghan recently posted…Spinach Ramp Pesto RecipeMy Profile

      Reply
  20. Shannyn Kelly Dalby says

    February 16, 2019 at 9:48 AM

    Okay so I know this post was from 2015 but in my defense I was getting married and only 2 months out at that time. Also pretty sure I was on tour.
    BUT I MADE THIS LAST NIGHT and omg. OMG. Omg.
    Yummy.
    Freakin Deeeelishsush.
    Better late than never.
    I love your stuff. recipes. Ahem.
    xo

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      March 1, 2019 at 4:19 PM

      So glad you love it. I’ve actually eaten this a half dozen times in the past 6 weeks. It’s a hit here too. 🙂

      Reply

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I’m Meghan, CEO of City Hippie granola, a food blogger, and fit(ish) momma of a toddler keeping it real in Cleveland. Coffee is my higher power, followed by veggies and cheese or cheese and veggies or veggies with cheese.

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