Description
A vibrant Mediterranean Marinated Cauliflower Salad featuring tender-crisp blanched cauliflower florets tossed with cherry tomatoes, red and green olives, red onions, and fresh parsley, all coated in a tangy and aromatic olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. This refreshing salad offers a perfect balance of crisp textures and robust flavors, ideal as a light side dish or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- â…“ cup black olives (Kalamata)
- â…“ cup green olives
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Blanch the Cauliflower: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and blanch them for 1-2 minutes until they become tender-crisp. Immediately remove the cauliflower and transfer it to an ice bath to halt the cooking process and preserve their crisp texture.
- Combine the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the blanched cauliflower, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, black and green olives, and chopped parsley, ensuring even distribution without bruising the ingredients.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes until fully emulsified and aromatic.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the flavorful dressing.
- Marinate and Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Blanching the cauliflower briefly keeps it crunchy and vibrant in color.
- Allowing the salad to marinate enhances the depth of flavors.
- You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.
- This salad pairs well with grilled meats or as a standalone light meal.
- For a vegan and gluten-free option, ensure Dijon mustard is gluten-free.
