Penne With Cauliflower And Capers Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously. Add the penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente--tender but not mushy. Drain the pasta in a colander set in the sink. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower, shallots, and garlic, and cook, stirring, until the cauliflower is well browned, about 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 2 teaspoons salt, water, vinegar, raisins, honey, capers, thyme, bay leaf, fennel seeds, if using, and season with black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until cauliflower is fork tender, about 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the pine nuts and parsley. Remove and discard the thyme and bay leaf.
• Toss vegetables and pasta together along with the pecorino. Drizzle with additional olive oil, if desired. Serve immediately, passing more cheese at the table.

Steps:

• Toasting the bread crumbs: Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Spread the bread crumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring once or twice with a pancake turner, until the crumbs are the color of pale toast and lightly crunchy, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Trimming the cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into florets, discarding the thick core. Cut into individual florets that are about 1 1/2 inches long and just about as wide. You want them small, but not trimmed so much that they are falling apart.
• Browning the cauliflower: Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat. When hot, add the florets and saute, turning frequently, until they are speckled allover with nice bits of brown, about 8 minutes total. Add the capers, stir to dis- tribute, and cook for another minute.
• The braise: Pour in the stock or water, season with salt and pepper (go easy on the salt because of the capers), cover tightly, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently until the cauliflower is tender enough to be easily pierced with the tip of a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. If the liquid threatens to dry up at any point, add a splash of water.
• The finish: When the cauliflower is tender, remove the lid and boil away any remain- ing liquid, shaking the pan so the cauliflower doesn't stick. Add a squeeze of lemon, and taste for salt and pepper. Stir in the bread crumbs and serve immediately.
• Variation: Penne with Braised Cauliflower & Capers.
• Turn this cauliflower into a meal by boiling up 3/4 pound of short tube-shaped pasta, such as penne, fusilli, or gemelli. When the pasta is al dente, drain it, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking water. In Step 14, don't boil away any remaining liquid. Add the pasta to the cauliflower before adding the bread crumbs, and add enough reserved pasta cooking water to moisten the dish. Drizzle with a bit of extra-virgin olive oil, stir in the bread crumbs, and taste for salt and pepper. A small handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley and some freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese are good finishing touches.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (tender but firm to the bite). Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, in a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter until it is just starting to brown. Add the olive oil, then the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is beginning to caramelize, about 7 minutes. Add the chili flakes and cauliflower and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the 1 cup of reserved pasta cooking water and cook until the cauliflower is tender, 5 to 7 minutes more, adding more cooking water if needed.
• Add the pasta to the pan and stir in the capers, cheese, parsley and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Toss the cauliflower pieces in a tablespoon or 2 of olive oil and place on baking sheet (lined with release foil works great for easy cleanup);Roast for about 20 minutes until brown and crispy on the edges.
• While the cauliflower is baking, place the garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper, and thyme in a sauce pan with the 1/2 cup olive oil; heat over medium low heat for 20 minutes.
• When the cauliflower is done, place in a bowl and pour oil mixture over cauliflower; add the sun dried tomatoes and capers and stir all together to combine; Serve hot or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
• While pasta cooks, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add beef, onions, and garlic; cook and stir until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper flakes. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
• Drain penne. Pour into the skillet and stir to combine. Serve.

Steps:

• Trim the cauliflower and break into florets.
• In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower with 1 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Roast the cauliflower in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
• Stir occasionally.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil.
• Add the pasta and cook until tender but firm.
• Drain well.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper.
• Whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoons olive oil.
• Toss the dressing with the cauliflower, peppers, olives, basil and pasta.
• Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
• Serve at room temperature.