Skip to main content
Tandoori Cauliflower with Cashew-Cilantro Sauce

Tandoori Cauliflower with Cashew-Cilantro Sauce

By Lawman JohnsonJanuary 21, 2026

  • Makes
    4-8 servings
  • Cook Time
    1¼ hours
  • Active time plus cooling
    50 minutes active

London-based cookbook author Meera Sodha taught us her tandoori cauliflower from her book “Dinner.” Inspired by classic tandoori chicken, she gave cauliflower “steaks” a yogurt treatment before cooking, which protects the spices in the seasoning mixture, allowing them to bloom without burning. The yogurt itself caramelizes, developing deep flavor. We adapted her recipe, making a few minor tweaks. Most notably, we opted for cauliflower wedges instead of steaks, which eliminates the odd bits that result from slicing a head into slabs. We also scaled up the yogurt mixture so it coats two 2-pound heads of cauliflower. Kashmiri chili powder has a vivid red hue. It’s used as much for color as for spice; a mixture of sweet paprika and cayenne is a decent stand-in. Serve as a vegetarian main or as a side dish to just about anything.

Tip

Don’t use roasted cashews to make the sauce. They will not puree to a perfect smoothness, leaving the sauce with a grainy texture. Use raw cashews, soak them in boiling water and allow them to soften for at least 30 minutes so they blend to a creamy consistency.

To access this recipe, you need to be a member.

Join Milk Street and get instant access to over 3,500 recipes for just $1.

© 177 Milk Street. All rights reserved.

Tandoori Cauliflower with Cashew-Cilantro Sauce | Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street | Recipes, TV and Cooking Tips