Building your own tacos is very therapeutic. I love that everyone can create them to their exact personal preferences and really get to know the ingredients. Sharing food together like this is such a wonderful ritual and can really lift your mood if you’ve been feeling a bit isolated while you’ve been unwell. The ginger mango salsa is what elevates these simple cauliflower tacos to something really special. Mango adds a colour pop and burst of sweetness and fresh ginger and all the spices will give your immune system a boost.

INGREDIENTS – Serves 4

2 small cauliflowers, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 avocados 1 lime
8 small tacos

Marinade:

4 tbsp sunflower oil
2 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp ground chilli
1⁄2 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp tomato purée 1 tbsp maple syrup juice of 1 lime
a pinch of salt

Ginger mango salsa:

150g mango, peeled and chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 lime, juiced
10 fresh mint leaves
a small bunch of fresh coriander
1⁄2 small red chilli, deseeded and chopped finely
21⁄2cm fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 tsp olive oil
a pinch of salt

Korean slaw:

1 small head of Chinese cabbage, thinly sliced
1⁄2 red cabbage, thinly sliced (optional)
1 medium carrot, grated (optional)
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
1 small, sweet onion, thinly sliced
a small bunch of spring onions, sliced
a small bunch of coriander
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
2 tbsp rice vinegar 2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp crushed red pepper (kochukaru)
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

METHOD

In a bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients. Add the cauliflower pieces and toss to coat. Place on a lined baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes, until cooked and golden brown.

Meanwhile, make the salsa by combining all ingredients in a bowl and leave to one side.

Make the Korean slaw. Mix the cabbage, carrot, red pepper, onion, spring onions and coriander in a large bowl and mix well. Mix the garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, crushed red pepper, sesame oil and sesame seeds in a small bowl and mix. Pour the dressing over the veggies and mix well. Season. Scatter toasted seeds over if you like.

Mash the avocados in a small bowl and add the lime juice.

Warm the tacos for a few minutes in your oven.
To serve, lay everything on the table in bowls and build your own tacos. I like to spread the mashed avocado on a taco, load with the roasted cauliflower and a large spoonful of the mango salsa.

Extracted from The Healing Cookbook by Gemma Ogston (Vermilion, £16.99) Photography by Xavier Buendia