Cauliflower With Saffron And Pasta Recipes

SAFFRON ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the saffron, coriander, garlic, shallot and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until the shallot is translucent and the oil turns yellow, about 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower, lemon juice and 1/3 cup water. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower turns yellow and the water has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast, stirring halfway through, until the cauliflower is tender and golden, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and sprinkle with parsley.

PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Trim the cauliflower and divide it into florets. Add about a tablespoon of salt to the water and boil cauliflower until it is tender but not mushy. Using a slotted spoon or strainer, remove the cauliflower and set it aside. When it is cool enough to handle, chop it roughly into small pieces.
• Meanwhile, in a large deep skillet over medium-low heat, sauté garlic in olive oil, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden. Start cooking pasta in same pot and same water as was used for the cauliflower.
• When the garlic is ready, add the cauliflower to skillet and turn heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally. When pasta is just about done - it should be 2 or 3 minutes short of the way you like it - drain it, reserving about a cup of cooking liquid.
• Add pasta to skillet containing the cauliflower, and toss with a large spoon until they are well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste, along with just enough pasta water to keep the mixture moist but not soupy. When the mixture is hot and the pasta is tender and nicely glazed, mix in the bread crumbs.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SALAD WITH SAFFRON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Arrange the cauliflower on a large, rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the raisins and stir until plump, about 30 seconds. Transfer the nut mixture to a large bowl.
• Add the saffron to the skillet with the vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer until the liquid reduces down to about a tablespoon. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds. Drizzle the oil mixture all over the cauliflower and toss to coat. Roast until just tender and browned in spots, about 15 minutes.
• Stir the parsley and dill into the bowl with the nuts and raisins. Add the cauliflower, season with salt and pepper and toss together. Serve warm or at room temperature.

RIGATONI WITH CAULIFLOWER, SAFFRON, AND RAISINS

Steps:

• Cover raisins with warm water in a bowl. Cook garlic and oil in a skillet over medium-low heat until garlic begins to brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Add pepper flakes, anchovies, capers, saffron, and stock. Stir, cook until combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and raisins; season with salt and black pepper. Cook, covered, 10 to 12 minutes, until cauliflower is tender. Uncover; let liquid reduce slightly over high heat, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until just tender. Drain; toss into warm cauliflower mixture. Just before serving, tear basil leaves, and toss into pasta along with pine nuts.

SICILIAN PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Place the raisins or currants in a small bowl and cover with warm water. In another bowl combine the saffron with 3 tablespoons warm water. Let both sit for 20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Add the cauliflower and boil gently until the florets are tender but the middle resists when poked with a skewer or knife, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoons or tongs (or a pasta insert) remove the cauliflower from the water, transfer to a bowl of cold water and drain. Cover the pot and turn off the heat. You will cook the pasta in the cauliflower water. Cut the florets from the core of the cauliflower and cut them into small florets or crumble coarsely using a fork or your hands.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until it smells fragrant, about 30 seconds to a minute, and add the anchovies and tomatoes. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes. Drain the raisins or currants and add, along with the saffron and its soaking liquid, cauliflower, pine nuts or almonds, and about 1/4 cup of the cooking water from the cauliflower. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover, turn the heat to low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• Bring the cauliflower water back to a boil and cook the pasta al dente, following the timing instructions on the package. Check the sauce and if it seems dry add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and transfer to the pan with the sauce. Toss together and serve, sprinkled with pecorino and chopped basil leaves. If desired, drizzle a little olive oil over each serving.