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Pennette with Cauliflower Ragu - Chef Mario Batali

Produce: cauliflower, white onion, garlic, rosemary 
Dairy: Parmigiano-Reggiano, unsalted butter 
Seasonings: red pepper flakes, Kosher salt
Other: olive oil, pennette, bread crumbs
Cooking Method: stovetop
Serves: 6
 

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Ingredients: 
1 medium cauliflower (about 2 pounds)
1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 medium white onion, cut into 1⁄4-inch dice
3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
Maldon or other flaky sea salt
1½ to 2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
Kosher salt
1 pound pennette
3⁄4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus extra for serving
1⁄2 cup coarse fresh bread crumbs, fried in olive oil until golden brown
1½ teaspoons minced fresh rosemary

Procedure:
Halve the cauliflower. Cut off the leaves and reserve them. Cut out the core and reserve it. Cut the cauliflower into small bite-sized florets, reserving the stalks. Chop the core, stalks and leaves. Combine the oil, onion, garlic, and cauliflower leaves, stalks, and core in a large pot, season with Maldon salt, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the leaves are just beginning to wilt, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the cauliflower leaves are just tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Add the cauliflower florets, red pepper flakes, and 1 cup water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is very soft and almost falling apart, 22 to 25 minutes. Add the butter, stirring gently until it melts, then season well with Maldon salt and remove from the heat. (The cauliflower ragu can be prepared up to 3 days ahead. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate; reheat in a large pot over medium-low heat before adding the pasta.) Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 3 tablespoons kosher salt. Drop in the pasta and cook until just al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 2/3 cup of the pasta water.

Add the pasta and 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta water to the cauliflower ragu and stir and toss over medium heat until the pasta is well coated (add a splash or two more of the reserved pasta water if necessary to loosen the sauce). Stir in the cheese.

Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl, sprinkle with the bread crumbs and rosemary, and serve, with additional grated cheese on the side.

Nutrition:
Nutritional information per serving: 600 calories; 27g fat (11g saturated fat); 38mg cholesterol; 76g carbohydrate (7g fiber); 18g protein.




Recipe Type: Authentic
Recipe Author: Chef Mario Batali
Original Photograph By: meatlessmonday.com/Chef Mario Batali
Photograph Retouched By: Recipe Spy
Recipe Source: http://meatlessmonday.com/images/photos/2013/10/eCOOKBOOK_10thAnni.pdf

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