Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Cauliflower And Green Olives Recipes

SICILIAN-STYLE CAULIFLOWER WITH WHOLE WHEAT PASTA

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.

WHOLE-WHEAT LINGUINE WITH CAULIFLOWER, PANCETTA, AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Stir together bread crumbs, salt, and 1 tablespoon oil in a small bowl until combined well. Transfer to a 12-inch heavy skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and golden, 3 to 5 minutes, then return to bowl.
• Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté cauliflower, stirring occasionally, until browned well, about 8 minutes.
• Add pancetta and sauté, stirring frequently, until just beginning to crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté, stirring, 1 minute. Add broth, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is tender and sauce is slightly reduced, about 7 minutes.
• While sauce simmers, cook linguine in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until al dente, then drain in a colander.
• Stir cheese into sauce and simmer 1 minute.
• Toss pasta with cauliflower mixture and parsley in a large bowl, then sprinkle with bread crumbs. Serve with additional cheese.

SPAGHETTI WITH CAULIFLOWER, GREEN OLIVES, AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Pulse olives and parsley in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook cauliflower with salt, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is tender and garlic is golden, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in water and boil 1 minute. Add olive mixture and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water. Drain in a colander and return to pot.
• Add cauliflower mixture and toss well, then add cheese and toss again. If pasta is dry, moisten with some reserved cooking water.
• Sprinkle pasta with almonds and serve immediately, with additional cheese on the side.

WHOLE WHEAT SPAGHETTI WITH GREEN GARLIC AND CHICORY

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. Meanwhile, remove the tough outer leaves of the chicory, and clean the remaining leaves of sand. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the chicory. Blanch one minute, then transfer to the ice water with a skimmer or slotted spoon (do not drain the water from the pot). Drain the chicory, squeeze out water and chop. Set aside.
• Combine the olive oil, garlic and chili pepper in a large, heavy skillet. Heat over medium heat until the garlic begins to sizzle. Allow the garlic to sizzle for about a minute, but do not let it color. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside. If using a whole chili pepper, remove it and discard.
• Bring the water back to a boil, and add the spaghetti. Cook al dente following the timing directions on the package. While the pasta is cooking, return the frying pan to medium heat. When the garlic begins to sizzle again, add the chicory. Toss together, season to taste with salt and pepper, and keep warm.
• When the spaghetti is cooked al dente, remove 1/2 cup of the pasta water and add it to the pan with the chicory. Stir together well. Drain the pasta, and toss with the chicory and garlic. Serve, topping each serving with a spoonful of Parmesan.