Keep winter eating interesting with this Whole30-compliant recipe for roasted Romanesco broccoli paired with a creamy vegan sunflower seed dressing made with soaked sunflower seeds and fresh Meyer lemons.
I need to whisper something very quietly here. I’m sure that anything but a whisper, especially a grand pronouncement, will undo the magic. You see, after what feels like years of constant bickering, trips thwarted on account of unceasing whining, and general uncooperativeness, my two daughters (ages 6 and 10) are getting along. And being legitimately helpful. And mostly brushing their teeth, though thorough hand washing technique does seem to elude our youngest. Like everything else having to do with kids, this is probably a phase that will pass, but for now, it’s delightful.
This spirit of benevolence is even present at the dinner table. My 10 year-old, trying something new, often says things like, “This is really good, Mom. I like the sauce.” After years of eye rolling and complaints about ever-present vegetables, it’s gratifying to know that the food I make each evening might actually be enjoyed. (The reverse of this is that all the meals Brian and I have made that weren’t pizza or pasta weren’t enjoyed, but whatever.)
I’m doing a Whole30 this month and our recent dinners have been extremely vegetable forward. Plain healthy food bores me to death, so I’m always creating punchy sauces and dressings to keep things lively. And so far, the kids have been surprisingly into our meals. This warm roasted Romanesco salad with creamy Meyer lemon and sunflower seed dressing is one of our new favorites.
Romanesco, also called Romanesco broccoli, is often compared to its namesake, but I find it’s closer in taste and texture to cauliflower. It has the same creamy-tasting stem, while the florets have just a bit more depth than cauliflower. Buying Romanesco is also a great way to make friends – everybody is fascinated buy it’s intricate fractals and supercharged chartreuse color. The sunflower seed and Meyer lemon dressing is smooth and creamy and totally dairy-free. Meyer lemons lend their ideal blend of sour and sweet flavors, while soaked sunflower seeds blend into a wonderfully creamy dressing that’s great fro dipping and dressing every vegetable you can find.
If you’re with me in the Whole30 thing or just looking for satisfying, healthful recipes, check out all of our Whole30 recipes here.
Keep winter eating interesting with this simple Whole30-compliant recipe for smoky roasted Romanesco broccoli paired with a creamy vegan Meyer lemon and sunflower seed dressing. For best results, soak sunflower seeds overnight.
- 1 head Romanesco (cauliflower with work well, too), cored and cut into 3/4-inch florets
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- zest of 1 Meyer lemon (reserve lemon for juice), divided
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, soaked overnight
- zest of 1 Meyer lemon
- 1/2 cup Meyer lemon juice (from 2 - 3 large lemons)
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed, peeled, and minced
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
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Soak sunflower seeds in cold water overnight. Strain and rinse thoroughly. Set aside.
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To make dressing, combine sunflower seeds, Meyer lemon zest and juice, garlic, rice wine vinegar, olive oil and sea salt in the pitcher of a blender and blend on high until smooth. Taste and add sea salt as needed. Mixture will thicken up when chilled in the fridge. There will be extra dressing – it keeps sealed in the fridge for 4 days.
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Move rack to the top third of oven.
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Toss Romanesco florets with olive oil, half the Meyer lemon zest, and a generous pinch each sea salt and pepper. Scatter on 1 - 2 baking sheets, making sure each floret has an plenty of space. Roast 15 minutes. Flip florets and roast another 10 - 15 minutes, or until edges are deep golden brown and florets are fork tender.
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Garnish Romanesco with reserved Meyer Lemon zest, drizzle with sunflower seed dressing, and serve.
Fingers crossed their pleasant demeanor sticks! I just spent a weekend with my nieces and I’m always amazed by how amazing they get along… but they’re two years apart. My sister and I were four and, for the most part, got along pretty well.
Everything about this salad and that dressing makes me happy. It’s a stunner.
Thanks Brian! I’d always thought that I’d have kids closer in age but am so grateful circumstance intervened and they’re 4 years apart. I think it make a huge difference in them being friends instead of competitors. (Also, I just could NOT deal with more than one kid in diapers.)
Romanesco is one of my favorite things to stare at… and also roast in the winter 😉 I am loving this dish! The meyer lemons must be amazing with it. xo
So excited to make this! I’m doing whole30 and was looking for recipes to use my romanesco and meyer lemons that were sent in my produce subscription box. Perfect!