If there’s one thing we’ve learned after years of helping people reconnect with their health, their loved ones, and themselves—it’s that flavor is the doorway to joy.
And nothing delivers that joy quite like a vibrant, vegetable-forward Mediterranean dish cooked with love and intention.
Today, we’re sharing a recipe close to our hearts—and our roots. A light yet deeply satisfying dish that brings Sicily’s bold flavors to your kitchen:
🌿 Cauliflower Couscous with Sicilian-Style Caponata
It’s:
- Perfect as a plant-based main or colorful side
- Packed with fiber-rich veggies and good fats
- Free of gluten, dairy, and heavy carbs—without sacrificing richness
- Delicious warm, at room temperature, or even chilled
It’s also one of our Day 1 meals in our 30-Day Mediterranean Life Reset program to come. But today, we’re giving you the full recipe right here.
This is more than a meal—it’s an invitation to reconnect with what matters. So pour yourself a glass of wine or sparkling lemon water, grab a friend or your partner, and let’s cook together the Mediterranean way.
Meet the Creators Behind the Recipe
We’re Chef Dario Tomaselli and Rich Life Strategist Anita Heidema, co-creators of The Anita & Dario Show and founders of the O’Live Your Life Mediterranean Lifestyle blueprint..
Dario is an Italian-born, world-renowned chef who believes every dish tells a story.
Anita is a best-selling author and transformational expert who guides people—especially women 40+—to redefine success and reclaim their spark.
Together, we’ve blended our North American and European roots into a lifestyle brand that helps people live, work, eat, travel, and connect the Mediterranean way. And that begins with the kitchen—where nourishment meets love, laughter, and healing.
Recipe: Cauliflower Couscous with Sicilian-Style Caponata
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower Couscous:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower (~600 g), cut into florets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt & pepper, to taste
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- a handful of fresh parsley
- A few mint leaves chopped
For the Sicilian Caponata:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium aubergine (eggplant), diced (~300 g)
- 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 250 g cherry tomatoes or canned chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp capers, rinsed
- 8-10 green olives, pitted and chopped
- 1½ tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, to serve
Instructions
Make the Cauliflower Couscous:
- Place cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse until it resembles couscous or fine rice. (Do this in batches if needed.)
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add cauliflower and sauté for 5–7 minutes until just tender. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
- Remove from heat and stir through chopped parsley and mint. Set aside.
Make the Sicilian Caponata:
- Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan. Add the diced aubergine and cook over medium-high heat until golden and softened (about 8–10 minutes). Transfer to a plate.
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté celery, onion, and red pepper for 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes, and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Return the aubergine to the pan. Add capers, olives, vinegar, and sugar. Stir well, and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly or serve warm. Stir in fresh basil just before serving.
To Serve:
- Spoon the cauliflower couscous onto plates or a platter. Top generously with the caponata. Garnish with extra herbs or a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness
This dish brings together two key principles of the Mediterranean Lifestyle:
1. Connection / Through Cooking
Cooking is one of the most powerful ways to reconnect—with your loved ones, your roots, and your own sense of purpose. When you cook together, you:
- Share responsibility
- Create joy
- Make space for conversation and presence
It’s not just about getting food on the table. It’s about making the table the heart of your home again.
2. Balance Through Nourishment
This recipe is naturally healthy by not restricting like a diet would:
- Gluten-free
- Rich in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats
- Low in refined carbs and sugars
- Full of vibrant vegetables
It’s a reminder that healthy eating doesn’t need to be restrictive—it can be deeply satisfying, beautiful, and even indulgent.
Ready to Embrace the Mediterranean Way?
This is just one recipe in a whole way of life.
In our free Mediterranean Lifestyle eBook, you’ll discover:
- All 8 core Mediterranean principles
- How to make small, powerful shifts to feel better now
- Tips for connecting through food, movement, travel, and purpose
- And more recipes like this one to inspire your journey
🎁 Download your free eBook now
It’s time to bring joy, connection, and balance back into your life—one delicious bite at a time.
Join Us on The Anita & Dario Show
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You’re one meal away from more connection, more flavor, and more life. Let this be the first.
