Coliflor Asada con Salsa Roja y Crema (Roasted Cauliflower)
A whole cauliflower roasted until golden, spooned with red salsa and cooling lime crema and scattered with toasted seeds.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Lime crema (Mexican soured cream sauce). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.01 a head
- Oven220°C (200°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan). Trim the base of the cauliflower so it stands flat.
- 2
Mix the olive oil, cumin and 1 tsp salt and rub it all over the cauliflower. Place it in a roasting tin.
- 3
Roast for 40 to 45 minutes, until deeply golden and a knife slides into the thickest part with no resistance.
42 min 30 s - 4
Scatter the sunflower seeds around it in the last 5 minutes to toast lightly.
5 min - 5
Warm your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) in a small pan for 3 minutes until hot.
3 min - 6
Put the cauliflower on a board or platter. Spoon over the warm salsa, drizzle with your ready made lime crema (see the base recipe) and scatter with the seeds and coriander. Cut into thick wedges and serve with lime.
Tips
- Dry the cauliflower well after washing. A wet surface steams rather than roasts and will not brown.
- A small paring knife test tells you when it is done. It should be golden and tender, not soft.
- For a dairy free dish, use a dairy free crema or a drizzle of olive oil and extra lime.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot oven until steaming hot all the way through. The crema should be kept separately and added fresh.
Questions
Can I roast florets instead?
Yes. Roast florets on a tray at {t220} for 25 minutes, tossing once, then serve with the salsa and crema. It is quicker and gives lots of crisp edges.
Is it a main or a side?
Either. As a vegetarian main it serves 2 to 3 with rice or beans. Cut into wedges, it serves 4 as a side.
Can I use broccoli or squash?
Yes. Broccoli roasts in about 20 minutes and butternut squash wedges in 35 minutes. Both take the salsa and crema well.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.