Najib's Special Lebanese Cauliflower Recipe
This is my at-home version of Najib’s Special Lebanese Cauliflower from Nuba — the one Vancouver locals swear by. It fries up with a crispy exterior, a creamy, tender center, and that bright lemony, salty finish that makes this dish so unforgettable.
Ingredients
- High-heat oil, for frying - avocado oil works great
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into small florets - do NOT wash the cauliflower!
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Sea salt
- Optional: cilantro or parsley to garnish
The Tahini Sauce
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- A pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Add 2 inches of oil to a medium sized pot with high sides. Attach a candy/ deep-fry thermometer to the side. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches degrees 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower the heat to medium and let the oil continue to heat until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.High-heat oil
- Toss the cauliflower with the cornstarch. This will ensure it is completely dry and safe to deep-fry. Fry the cauliflower, several pieces at a time, for 5-7 minutes, or until the cauliflower is golden brown and soft. Remove the cauliflower pieces from the hot oil and set them on a paper towel lined tray. Keep them warm on low heat in your oven while you fry the rest.1 medium head of cauliflower, 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- While the cauliflower is frying, prepare the tahini sauce by mixing all the tahini sauce ingredients together with two tablespoons of water.2 tablespoons tahini, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 small garlic clove, A pinch of sea salt
- Once all the Lebanese cauliflower has finished frying, squeeze a generous amount of lemon juice over the cauliflower and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with extra lemon wedges on the side and a little cilantro or parsley over the top.Sea salt, Optional: cilantro or parsley to garnish, 1 lemon
Notes
Clean cauliflower: It's important that you do not wash the cauliflower, as any water will cause the oil to spit dangerously. Instead, if you see any dirt, brush it off with a clean kitchen towel.
Serving: 1 serving = ¼ of the recipe, Calories: 167kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 66mg, Potassium: 506mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 11IU, Vitamin C: 85mg, Calcium: 51mg, Iron: 1mg