September 30, 2010

Penne and Cauliflower

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Shadows and light. Autumn.

...

"What's in the oven?"

"I'm roasting cauliflower."

Olive oil, coarse salt and cracked black pepper. It tastes so good, raw like this.

30 minutes (total) under the broiler. 15 minutes. Pull out pan. Redistribute cauliflower. Rotate pan. 15 minutes more. Al dente perfection.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. Pasta with cauliflower and bacon." Roberto's ears perked up. His eyes brightened.

"Cauliflower's good for you."

"We have cream too."

"A touch of cream would be nice."

...

Tiina's post was a divine postcard. My stomach growled, wish you were here. The answer to that ever-plaguing question, what's for dinner, answered.

...

"How do you think nutmeg would taste?"

"Good."

"Should we?"

"Give it a go."

I grated cautiously. Roberto inspected the flecks as they fell. "That's good." He said.

I tapped the nutmeg against the grater.

It was one of two substitutions (nutmeg in lieu of lemon and penne in lieu of pappardelle). Our only omission, pumpkin seeds (which we didn't have).

It's really starting to feel like Fall. Smell like Fall. Taste like Fall.
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20 comments:

  1. EmilySeptember 30, 2010 at 11:09 AM

    I love the fall, especially as it's a cosy place to keep warm. Anything with pasta and cauliflower is a winner. I can already imagine the crispness of the bacon, the crunch of the cauliflower and the cheesy pasta. I'd say you have the right instincts to make it through the cold evenings!

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  2. alexandriaSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:32 PM

    This is brilliant and a lovely way to enter Autumn. It's been a while since I've made penne and to use these added ingredients sounds just right. Beautiful photos too!

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  3. Wendi @ Bon Appetit HonSeptember 30, 2010 at 1:02 PM

    This sounds like exactly what I need on a wet day like today. Must print and try.

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  4. M.September 30, 2010 at 1:50 PM

    oh, this sounds so delicious, very autumn-like,
    love the touch of nutmeg :)

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  5. Michele | Cooking At HomeSeptember 30, 2010 at 3:38 PM

    Everything is better with bacon and, of course, cream. A perfect dish for fall. I love roasted cauliflower but my broiler skills are lacking.

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  6. Little Hunting CreekOctober 1, 2010 at 7:52 AM

    Bacon, cream, nutmeg, roasted cauliflower - why not? everything is improved with bacon and cream :)

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  7. nancy at good food mattersOctober 1, 2010 at 8:18 AM

    It's really Fall-ish here today. I love roasted cauliflower and your use of nutmeg is absolutely Perfect for this dish.

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  8. Denise | Chez DanisseOctober 1, 2010 at 12:58 PM

    This one is for me, yes. Hello autumn.

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  9. redmenaceOctober 1, 2010 at 4:41 PM

    Oh so good! It's funny. I never used to like cauliflower until I found the roasting technique. It tastes so great this way. No more smelly feet! Your pasta dish sounds wonderful. Lucky man of yours....

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  10. BiancaOctober 1, 2010 at 6:49 PM

    I am really start to appreciate fall; probably due to the fact that I have been indulging in all it wonderful food bounty. This looks lovely!

    xoxo
    bianca

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  11. TracyOctober 3, 2010 at 2:39 PM

    sounds lovely! never one for cauliflower, I think the addition of bacon could get me to eat just about anything. yum.

    I adore Tiina's blog, too.

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  12. JessOctober 3, 2010 at 3:05 PM

    Your instincts sound spot-on with that nutmeg. It is, indeed, feeling quite fall-ish. I noticed today that our radiators are warm for the first time this season. I guess it's that time.

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  13. Lindsay @ Pinch of YumOctober 3, 2010 at 3:28 PM

    Penne pasta is my favorite. And cauliflower is also a fave... yum yum yum!

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  14. Katie@CozydeliciousOctober 3, 2010 at 10:39 PM

    I love roasted caulflower. Roasted veggies scream fall to me, and this sounds amazing. The cauliflower totally balances out the cream and bacon! Yum!

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  15. tiina { sparkling ink }October 4, 2010 at 2:45 AM

    Thanks for the sweet mention♥ Nutmeg sounds wonderful with the dish. I love to come to visit here and I always leave inspired. Your posts make my days brighter! xx

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  16. Merisi, ViennaOctober 4, 2010 at 4:02 AM

    Thank you for this fantastic recipe!
    I discovered roasted cauliflower only a few years ago and have at times eaten it simply right out of the oven, where I roasted it with a handful of Italian parsley leaves and crushed garlic cloves and olive oil. Your pasta dish will be on my fall menu, thank you! :-)

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  17. AnonymousOctober 6, 2010 at 1:38 AM

    I like the idea of adding nutmeg - I really like the idea of the nutmeg in fact and will be trying it this week now I'm finally back cooking and pasta with brocolli or cauliflower is on heavy rotation. The choice of pasta is as Vincenzo always says - fondamentale. I often make bad choices apparently.

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  18. mollyOctober 6, 2010 at 3:31 PM

    Roasted cauliflower is longstanding favorite. But no one's ever whispered cream, nutmeg, and bacon in the same sentence. Oh, my.

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  19. BriaOctober 9, 2010 at 12:08 PM

    This looks incredible, I am such a sucker for cauliflower. When I was a kid and still hated most vegetables, the only thing my parents could get me to eat was cauliflower. This pasta looks divine and I will be making it very soon. Lovely blog by the way!

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  20. Amelia PSOctober 10, 2010 at 11:06 PM

    oh creamy delicious cozy fall comfort-ness!!!

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