Summer is calling, and I'm answering with a vegetarian main dish that's both hearty and healthy! Grilled cauliflower steaks are having a major moment right now, and for good reason. These versatile beauties take on smoky flavors from the grill and hold their shape surprisingly well. But the real star of this show is my super versatile California Olive Pepper Relish bursting with briny, tangy flavors.
{{The recipe for this Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with California Olive Pepper Relish and the post that goes with it was made in partnership with California Ripe Olives and California Grown! We received compensation in exchange for it. Opinions are always our own. If we don’t love it, you don’t hear about it. Thanks for your continued support! }}
This relish isn't just for cauliflower steaks, though. It might just become your new go-to summer condiment. It elevates grilled chicken, adds a punch to hearty salads, and brings sunshine to grain bowls. Trust me, you'll be reaching for this flavorful condiment all season long.
What is a Cauliflower Steak?
Don't be fooled by the name: a cauliflower steak isn't actually a steak cut from a cow. It's a thick slice of cauliflower that, when seasoned and cooked properly, takes on a beautifully caramelized exterior and a tender, meaty interior. Cauliflower steaks are a fantastic option for anyone looking for a delicious meal, but especially vegetarians, vegans, and anyone looking to incorporate more low-carb, gluten-free meals into their diet.
I love creating something unexpected with vegetables, so it should come as no surprise that this is not my first rodeo with making vegetable steaks. Check out the Mushroom Steaks I made with a huge Lion's Mane Mushroom that I grew at home!!
Lion's Mane Mushroom Steaks with Tapenade
This Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steak is the vegetarian equivalent of a juicy Filet Mignon. Meticulously seasoned and cooked to perfection, this recipe for mushroom steak requires an actual steak knife - and a hearty appetite. Consider yourself hungry!
Click here for this vegetable steak recipe.
Sizzling Grilled Cauliflower Steaks: A Simple How-To
While making grilled cauliflower steaks may seem intimidating, it is actually super easy to whip up in just a few steps:
Unleashing Flavor: A Sensational California Olive Pepper Relish
My California Olive Pepper Relish is made with two kinds of California Ripe Olives (both green and black!), fresh juicy tomatoes that are roasted for depth of flavor, piquant capers, and smoky roasted red peppers.
California raisins add a touch of sweetness, while olive oil and roasted garlic-infused olive oil provide a rich base.
Oregano and a hint of cayenne bring a floral herbaceous flavor to the relish, plus a touch of heat.
As I mentioned earlier, this relish is versatile enough to enhance other dishes like grilled chicken or steak.
It is the perfect condiment for charcuterie boards and hearty sandwiches too.
The Secret Behind California Ripe Olives
California Ripe Olives are unique for their rich flavor and firm texture, a testament to the Golden State's ideal growing conditions. These olives are meticulously cultivated and processed, ensuring a quality product that stands out in any recipe. Their distinctive taste is what makes my California Olive Pepper Relish truly special.
Farm-Fresh Journey: From Olive Orchard to Your Table
The story of California Ripe Olives is one of dedication and care. Whether you are speaking with growers in the north or south they all agree, California's olives are the product of a close-knit community of farmers.
How Ripe Olives are Grown in California
The harvest season, running from early September to mid-November, involves both traditional and modern harvesting methods, ensuring the best quality olives make it from the orchard to our tables.
Click here to learn how ripe olives are grown in California.
Where to Purchase California Ripe Olives
Thankfully, acquiring olives from California for your recipes is pretty straightforward. Available at most grocery stores, California Ripe Olives can be found in various sizes and preparations like whole, sliced, or stuffed.
Are Olives a Vegetable or a Fruit?
This is a fun fact! Olives are not a vegetable, but technically a specific kind of fruit called a drupe - a fruit with a single pit surrounded by fleshy fruit.
After harvest, olives are cured in a brine similar to vegetables, giving them their savory flavor profile.
The combination of grilled cauliflower steaks with the rich flavors of my California Olive Pepper Relish offers a delightful meal from the first bite to the last.
If you’ve made my Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with California Olive Pepper Relish, I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! I just love hearing from you, and your reviews and comments really help others who visit This Mess is Ours.
PrintGrilled Cauliflower Steaks With California Olive Pepper Relish
Grilled cauliflower steaks topped with a vibrant California Olive Pepper Relish offer a fresh take on vegetarian grilling that's sure to delight your taste buds.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 steaks 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the sauce:
1 cup peeled whole canned tomatoes, finely chopped
3 roma tomatoes, halved, roasted, peeled, sliced
4 red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, and sliced
12 California ripe green olives, sliced
18 California ripe black olives, sliced
¼ cup capers, strained
½ cup raisins
½ teaspoon cayenne
2 tablespoons oregano
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup olive oil, plus more for roasting
½ cup garlic oil
For the cauliflower:
2 heads cauliflower
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
To make the relish:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and prepare a sheet tray with a roasting rack on top.
Slice the plum tomatoes in half and lightly coat with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and place cut side up on the roasting rack. Lightly coat the red bell peppers with olive oil and place on the same roasting rack. Cook in the oven for 35 minutes.
After roasting, place the peppers in a bowl tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container to allow the steam to loosen the skin. Let the tomatoes cool on the rack.
When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, peel the skin off and discard. Slice the tomatoes in thin strips and set aside.
When the peppers are cool enough to handle, peel the skin and discard it along with the seeds and stem. Slice the peppers in thin strips and set aside.
Finely chop the canned tomatoes and set aside.
Slice the olives and set aside.
Finally, place all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and mix until fully incorporated. Check for seasoning and add more salt if desired.
To make the cauliflower steaks:
Preheat the grill to high heat (450°F-500°F) making sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled.
Prepare the cauliflower by removing any outer leaves and trimming the stem end to sit flat. Slice the head of cauliflower down the middle of the stalk to create two halves. Trim each half into 1.5 to 2-inch thick steaks. Reserve any florets that break off. Drizzle both sides of each cauliflower steak with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage. Place the cauliflower steaks directly on the grill grates and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until tender and charred. Test for tenderness with a fork or knife.
To serve:
Serve the grilled cauliflower steaks immediately after cooking. Top with a couple heaping spoonfuls of the olive-red pepper relish, and drizzle some of the oil from the relish around the plate. Optionally, garnish with chopped herbs.
Notes
This recipe makes 1 ½ quarts California Olive Relish.
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Hungry for More Delicious Recipes with California Ripe Olives? Keep Scrolling for More!
An Easy Appetizer Recipe: Roasted Ripe Olives
If you're looking for an easy appetizer recipe that's sure to impress your guests, look no further than our roasted olives. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can have a delicious and flavorful appetizer prepared that everyone will love!
Click here for this recipe with California Ripe Olives.
Quick and Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Marbella
This recipe is packed with sweet prunes, green olives, and capers. This retro redo is a simple chicken dinner idea that packs BIG, BOLD flavor with minimal effort. Whether you plan ahead to let the chicken marinate overnight for maximum Marbella flavor, or you just want to get a delicious dinner on the table with only a few minutes of prep time to spare, this dish tastes great with almost zero hassle.
Click here for this recipe with California Ripe Olives.
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My new Marbella-inspired recipe for Short Rib Marbella uses beef short ribs instead of the traditional chicken. This switch brings a robust beefy flavor to the table and allows for a longer, slower cooking process, creating a more tender and flavorful short rib.
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