Penne with Cauliflower and Sage
Currently cooking from The Carefree Cook by Rick Rodgers.
The idea of using cauliflower in a pasta sauce is a new concept for me. When I think of cauliflower, I immediately think of roasting it, or eating it raw with plenty of Ranch Dressing.
Rodgers starts you off by browning some pancetta or bacon and then cooking the cut-up cauliflower in the fat until the florets are brown. Then you add garlic, tomatoes, the pancetta/bacon bits, sage and red pepper flakes to the cauliflower and simmer the mixture until the cauliflower is tender. This chunky “sauce” is then served over pasta.
True to Rodgers’ form, this is a quick and easy dish. As an added bonus, it is also pretty healthy. I served the sauce with some whole wheat pasta, so it was very hearty and filling. Unfortunately, both Bryan and I found it to be kind of bland. A couple of notes: Make sure you cut the cauliflower into small florets so that they cook quickly. Also make sure you brown the cauliflower really well at the beginning.
I used to use pureed cauliflower in so many dishes. But then I got lazy and stopped steaming and pureeing. I used to add it to scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, mac and cheese. The kids never noticed, but the smell always got to me. I might have to try this recipe though, bland as it may be, because I did like the cauliflower in the spaghetti sauce.
Well, I do declare! :-O
Ha Ha Ha
Parmesan cheese. And you can both bite me.
LOL Oh Ma Sully, I do cook every, single recipe. Now, I only cook it in my imagination but hey, that’s a start. Do you realize how much money you can save on groceries?! Ok, you’re still hungry but hey. You have to compromise some where!
I might actually eat this one. South Beach diet recommends using Cauliflower instead of potatoes to make mashed potatoes. You wouldn’t believe how close it is. Ok, I admit, you can only get SO close but it really wasn’t bad, and that’s coming from picky ole’ me!
Trista, what kind of cheese is that?
Linda, do you notice how Trista writes like we are going to cook this recipe. Please, they have stuff like this in bags at supermarket don’t they? Ha Ha This looks like work to me. Sounds good tho.