Spiced Cauliflower Steaks with Lemon, Herbs & Toasted Almonds

So I’ve been hiding from you on the side of a mountain these past 3 months. And I mean that in the best possible way.

The cookbook is now written, photographed and it’s in the hands of my fabulous Editor. And since finishing the manuscript, I’ve been in something of a food photography and writing coma. I’ve been in blog hibernation, if you will.

So it really isn’t you I’ve been hiding from, but rather my laptop. And the internet. And anything to do with recipes and cooking and hashtags.

Instead, I’ve basked in the silence of mountain sunshine, fresh air, mud, muck and ground ferns. And I’ve been pretty much happy as a pig in shit.

Except for when I’m terrified.

As it turns out, there’s a butt load of things to be afraid of in the wilderness: Bears. Cougars. Sheer-faced rock cliffs. Rolling off sheer-faced rock cliffs. Figuring out how I’m going to haul this case of beer up the side of that mountain.

Uh….

I’m constantly on the look out for animals hungry that want to eat me and insects buzzing to sting me. I have to stop regularly to make sure I’m following the right trail markers lest I get lost or worse yet, trip on a slippery root section and tumble off the edge of the mountain; I have zero sense of direction and my body-spacial-awareness is lackadaisical at best. Oh yeah, and the beer. Or lack thereof.

But spending the past few weeks trudging up and down various trails has lit a fire somethin’ fierce, in my belly. And sometimes in my boots (make sure you wear proper footwear!)

I have this incessant craving I just can’t satiate.

For the outdoors. For the kindness and generosity of the people on the trails. For the adventure to be had.

I can’t stop myself. I find I’m dreaming of hikes yet to be discovered and then waking up in the middle of the night, hungry for the next big trek. The idea of not being on the mountain is almost painful. Like I’m missing something integral to my very being.

It’s like I was born to be wild.

Or at the very least, in the wild.

And I’ve been chasing that obsession all damn Summer long.

Of course, my new found passion for lugging my body up climbing chains and perilously thin ladders deep in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean I don’t love this still.

Or you.

Here.

Now.

In fact, the distance has made my heart grow fonder. Like any good relationship, spending time apart has allowed me to see how important what we have is.

Sometimes we just need to turn off the computer, put on our big girl pants, and schlep through some mud bogs to reconnect with ourselves. And each other.

And while I am so very much in love with the wild, I am also so very much in love with you. While I’ve found refuge in the wilderness, I think it’s time we reconnect with each other.

And so here I am. A hungry woman, humbled by the greatness of the West coast (and the beating the Wilderness has given me), with the most humble of vegetables in my hands: The cauliflower.

This isn’t the ideal meal if you’re planning a huge hike tomorrow morning. As that poor vegan woman who tried to climb Everest found out, protein is kind of super important for that kind of physical and mental exertion. Animal-based or otherwise.

But if you’re having a lovely (or lazy) night in or want something to go on the side of your Black Bean Veggie Burgers, Balsamic Slow Braised Short Ribs, Chorizo in red wine with herbs or Spanish Croquettes, this is the dish for you.

Spiced with cumin & coriander, heaps of fresh lemon & herbs and topped off with toasted almonds, this Spiced Cauliflower Steaks recipe is simple – but oh so ridiculously delicious and flavourful – enough to make it into my weekly rotation. Basically, they feel fancy but are totally quick and easy.

Like me.

And now I hope this recipe makes it into your weekly rotation, too. Because you will love love love it!

Welcome back friends. I’ve missed you.

Now. Who’s hungry??

P.S. If you want to catch up with my wilderness treks or see what I’m cooking live way more often, follow me on Instagram or Snapchat (kristy_gardner). I hang out over there a lot.

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Kristy Gardner
Lascivious lover of good, “ethical” food & wine.

http://gastronomicalsovereignty.blogspot.com

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