Caramelized Cauliflower With Sage Food

PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER, BACON AND SAGE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the cauliflower on a sheet pan. Drizzle with 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and toss to coat. Roast, tossing occasionally, until tender and browned all over, 20 to 25 minutes. While the cauliflower roasts, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Heat a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Add the sage leaves to pan and fry until they begin to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sage leaves to the plate with the bacon. Drain all but 3 tablespoons of fat from the skillet (or add additional olive oil, if needed) and remove from heat.
• Add 1 tablespoon salt to the boiling water and cook the pasta until just al dente, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and add to the reserved skillet; heat over low. Pour or squeeze the lemon juice over the pasta, along with 1 cup pasta water and the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Toss until the sauce comes together.
• Stir in the cauliflower, bacon and sage, adding a splash more pasta water if the pasta seems dry. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with lemon zest, and serve with extra Parmesan on the side.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER PLAIN AND FANCY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the cauliflower in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle over the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Roast until the cauliflower is lightly caramelized, turning once, about 30 minutes. Serve as is for the plain version or proceed with the variation below for the fancy version.
• Heat a small pan, and then add olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Saute for 30 seconds. Add the capers and raisins and cook for another minute.
• Drizzle the caramelized cauliflower with the caper mixture and parsley and toss to coat well. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the head of cauliflower on a cutting board, and slice it top-down into ¼-inch slices, some of which will crumble.
• Toss cauliflower in a large bowl with plenty of olive oil and a bit of salt, spread it in a single layer on a heavy sheet pan (or two, if one looks crowded), and roast until golden brown and caramelized, turning bits and slices once or twice, about 25 minutes. Devour.