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Pasta with Cauliflower Cream

17/11/2023

Pasta with cauliflower cream is a creamy and comforting dish, perfect for cold days or when you want something light yet substantial. Here’s how to prepare this delicious first course.

Ingredients

  • 400 g of pasta (penne, rigatoni, or a shape of your choice)
  • 1 medium cauliflower
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • 100 ml of heavy cream or milk for a lighter version
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • Nutmeg (optional)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
  • Pasta cooking water as needed
  • Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Clean the cauliflower by removing the outer green leaves and cut it into small florets.
  2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cauliflower until very tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large pan, sauté the crushed garlic cloves with a bit of extra virgin olive oil until they turn golden. Then remove and discard the garlic.
  4. Drain the cauliflower but save some of the cooking water.
  5. Place the cauliflower in the pan with the garlic-flavored oil and add the cream or milk.
  6. Blend everything with an immersion blender until it becomes a smooth cream. If necessary, add some of the cauliflower cooking water to reach the desired consistency. If you like, you can add a dash of nutmeg.
  7. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package instructions to achieve an al dente texture.
  9. Drain the pasta and save some of the cooking water.
  10. Combine the pasta with the cauliflower cream, stirring gently and adding cooking water if necessary to make it creamier.
  11. Serve the dishes with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese and, if you wish, some chopped parsley.

Curiosity

Cauliflower, the star of this dish, is a very versatile vegetable in the kitchen. Its cream can be used not only as a pasta sauce but also as a base for soups and purées or as a sauce to accompany meats and fish. Moreover, it is rich in vitamin C and K, making this dish not only tasty but also nutritious!