Miso-Roasted Cauliflower 
with Chickpea, Carrot 
and Noodle Salad

Asian Green by Ching-He Huang

Serves 2 or 4 as a side 

With Japanese miso and Middle Eastern tahini, this is such an ‘East meets East’-inspired salad. The miso, garlic and soy dressing used to season the cauliflower delivers a rich umami hit as it roasts in the oven, while the accompanying noodle salad delivers on protein and fresh carroty sweetness. It’s a match made in heaven, and a real crowd-pleaser.

• 1 large head of cauliflower 

• 1 tbsp rapeseed oil 

• pinch of sea salt 

• pinch of freshly ground black pepper 

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 

• 1 tbsp red miso paste  

• 2 tbsp tamari or low-sodium light soy sauce 

• 1 tbsp golden syrup 

• For the salad 

• 400g (14oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 2 carrots, sliced into julienne strips

• 200g (7oz) cooked vermicelli rice noodles

• 1 tbsp roasted cashew nuts 

• 2 spring onions, trimmed and finely diced  

For the dressing 

1 tbsp each:

• freshly grated root ginger

• tahini

• tamari or low-sodium light soy sauce

• toasted sesame oil

• rapeseed oil

• clear rice vinegar 

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F/Gas Mark 4.  

Prepare the cauliflower. Discard the outer leaves, but keep the inner leaves and set aside. Break the cauliflower up into florets and place them in a roasting tray with the inner leaves. Season with the salt and pepper, and drizzle over the rapeseed oil. 

Put the garlic, miso paste, tamari or light soy sauce and golden syrup in a jar and shake well to combine. Drizzle this mixture over the cauliflower florets and leaves, making sure they’re well covered. Roast for 15–20 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the salad. Layer the chickpeas, carrots and noodles on a large platter. Place all the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well, then set aside. 

Remove the cauliflower from the oven and transfer it to the serving platter on top of the chickpea salad. Drizzle over the dressing, sprinkle over the cashew nuts and spring onions, and serve immediately.