Cavatelli With Pancetta Cauliflower Recipes

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH PARMESAN AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Blanch the cauliflower for 2 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to a buttered 9 by 13-inch baking dish and let cool, about 5 minutes.
• In a small skillet over medium-high heat, brown the pancetta. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the flour and stir until combined. Continue stirring for 2 minutes to cook the flour. Slowly add the milk, stirring continuously until the milk has incorporated and there are no lumps. Add the garlic clove and red pepper flakes and stir the sauce over low heat until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon. Add the Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and the reserved pancetta. Stir to combine. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower to cover. Top with a sprinkling of bread crumbs.
• Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden and the cauliflower is cooked, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

CAVATELLI WITH ROMAN CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Add 1 tablespoon of the salt and the cauliflower to a large pot of water and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Cook for 3 minutes, then remove the cauliflower from the water. Retain the water.
• Put half of the cauliflower into a blender along with 1 cup of the cooking water and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Blend until it turns into a puree. This will be the sauce for your pasta. You may need to add more of the cooking water to reach the desired consistency (as loose as tomato puree).
• Heat the remaining 4 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the shallots, red pepper flakes, and anchovies. Saute for 1 minute.
• Increase the heat to high and add the reserved cauliflower florets. Saute for 2 minutes while stirring.
• Add the puree to the pan and saute for 30 to 40 seconds while stirring.
• To the pot with the reserved cauliflower cooking water, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of salt, return the water to a boil over high heat, and add the cavatelli. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta, stir it into the pan with the sauce, and cook everything together for 30 seconds. Add a couple more tablespoons of the pasta cooking water for a looser consistency, if desired.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese.
• Drizzle each serving with olive oil and serve with extra grated cheese for sprinkling.

CAVATELLI WITH PANCETTA & CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in an 8-quart pot over high heat.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta has rendered some of its fat and is lightly browned but still soft in the center, about 4 minutes.
• Don't overcook the pancetta.
• Stir the cavatelli into the boiling water.
• Return to a boil, stirring frequently.
• Cook the pasta, semi-covered, stirring occasionally, until done, about 10 minutes.
• Stir the onions into the skillet and cook until barely wilted, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the cauliflower and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is wilted and begins to brown, about 4 minutes.
• Season lightly with salt and a little crushed red pepper.
• Pour the chicken stock into the skillet, bring to a boil, and lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer.
• Cook until the vegetables are tender and the liquid is reduced by about one-half, about 5 minutes.
• If the skillet is large enough to accommodate the sauce and pasta, fish the pasta out of the boiling water with a large wire skimmer and drop it directly into the sauce in the skillet.
• If not, drain the pasta, return it to the pot, and pour in the sauce.
• Bring the sauce and pasta to a boil, tossing and stirring to coat the pasta.
• Check the seasoning, adding salt if necessary.
• Stir the bread crumbs, parsley, and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the pot.
• Cook, stirring and tossing the pasta, until the sauce is lightly thickened.
• Serve at once & enjoy!

ENGLISH PEA CAVATELLI

Steps:

• Simmer shelled peas and mint in coconut milk until tender (30-45 minutes).
• Purée peas and mint mixture in a blender until smooth. Season and set aside. If needed, add a little water to make smooth.
• In a sauté pan, crisp the pancetta on a low flame until fat is rendered and pancetta is crispy.
• While cooking the pancetta, boil the pasta to perfect al dente.
• Strain pasta and toss with the crispy pancetta on a low flame.
• Add the pea purée, cauliflower and two tablespoons of water and cook for 3-5 minutes stirring constantly (cook until purée evenly coats the pasta like a sauce).
• Turn off the heat and toss with freshly grated pecorino.
• Garnish with watercress and serve.

CAVATELLI WITH CAULIFLOWER AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower in a single layer and cook, without stirring, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir well, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over and tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Push to one side of the pot and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the chickpeas. Cook the chickpeas, stirring, until toasted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt.
• Meanwhile, add the cavatelli to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water and then drain. Add the pasta, butter and 1/2 cup cooking water to the Dutch oven and cook, stirring, until the pasta and cauliflower are well combined. Add the baby greens in two batches, stirring, and cook until just wilted, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
• Stir 2 tablespoons cheese into the pasta, adding more cooking water if the pasta is too dry; season with salt. Divide among bowls and top with the remaining 2 tablespoons cheese.