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Colinflower Pasta

This came from my brother Colin, hence the name.

Process Overview

This dish is made in 3 containers managed simultaneously.

Container 1: roasted cauliflower

Immediately after food prep, preheat oven to 425 F. The seasoned cauliflower will roast here for 15 minutes, get a sprinkling of soy sauce, and roast for 10 more minutes.

Container 2: sauce

Prepared vegetables and sauces get heated on the oven in a large sauce pan. This will be the pan for the entire dish at the end, so use one large enough.

Container 3: cook pasta

Cook pasta the usual ~10 minutes in plenty of water. Remember to save a few cups of the pasta water for the final dish.

Ingredients

  • 2 heads cauliflower, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • 1 Fresno chile pepper, seeded and minced
  • 6 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 3/4 cup basil pesto (one small container)
  • 1.5 lb pasta, any cut
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
  • 1 pinch each salt and black pepper
  • 3 tbsp butter or substitute
  • Parmesan cheese, grated for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare vegetables: chop and combine shallots, garlic, and pepper together. Chop cauliflower into a mixing bowl, together with crushed fennel seeds. Chop and set basil aside for the end.
  2. Pre-heat oven to 425 F.
  3. Combine cauliflower, 3 tbsp olive oil, paprika, oregano, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl and toss evenly to coat. Spread out on a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and place in the oven with a 15 minute timer.
  4. Heat salted water in a pot for pasta, add pasta with a 10 minute timer once it's boiling.
  5. Heat remaining 3 tbsp olive oil in the sauce pan, once it's hot cook shallots, garlic, and fresno until shallots carmelize - about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add tomato paste, cook 4-5 minutes until thick. Stir in 1/3 cup water and cook another 2 minutes. Stir in pesto, season with salt and pepper, and keep warm over low heat, stirring occasionally.
  6. When timer dings for the cauliflower, sprinkle soy sauce over the top and put back in the oven for 10 more minutes.
  7. When pasta is ready, scoop out and set aside a few cups of pasta water, then drain pasta.
  8. Add pasta and cauliflower to the sauce, add the butter and basil, and stir until the butter is melted and everything is thoroughly mixed. Add pasta water as needed to thin it for mixing.

Serve hot and with the grated parmesan.