Parmigiano Crusted Rigatoni Wcauliflower Bacon Recipes

PARMIGIANO-CRUSTED RIGATONI W/CAULIFLOWER & BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
• Add the garlic & crushed red pepper, if using, and cook over moderate heat until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.
• Add the cream and simmer until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes; season with salt and frshly ground black pepper.
• Cook the rigatoni until al dente; about 6 minutes before the rigatoni is done, add the cauliflower florets to the pot.
• Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss the panko with the Parmigiano cheese and the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil; season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Return the rigatoni and cauliflower to the pot.
• Add the garlic cream, the crispy bacon and the reserved pasta water and toss until the pasta is coated.
• Scrape the pasta into a large shallow baking dish and sprinkle the panko mixture evenly over the top.
• Broil for about 2 minutes, rotating constantly, until the topping is evenly browned.
• Serve hot with a cherry-rich red blend: 2005 Capezzana Barco Reale.
• Enjoy!

RIGATONI AND CAULIFLOWER AL FORNO

Steps:

• Cook the rigatoni in well-salted water according to package directions, but drain while still quite al dente. (If directions call for 12 minutes cooking, cook for 10 instead.) Rinse pasta with cool water, then drain again and set aside.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut cauliflower in half from top to bottom. Cut out tough core and stem any extraneous leaves. Lay cauliflower flat side down and cut crosswise into rough 1/4-inch slices. Break into smaller pieces.
• Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over high heat. Add cauliflower slices, along with any crumbly pieces, in one layer. (Work in batches if necessary.) Let cauliflower brown and caramelize for about 2 minutes, then turn pieces over to brown the other side. Cook for another 2 minutes, or until the cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork. It's fine if some pieces don't brown evenly. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add capers, garlic, red pepper flakes, chopped sage, sage leaves and lemon zest and stir to coat.
• Put cooked cauliflower mixture in a large mixing bowl. Add cooked rigatoni and fontina and toss. Transfer mixture to a lightly oiled baking dish. Top with Romano cheese, then with bread crumbs and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon olive oil. (Dish may be completed to this point up to several hours in advance and kept at room temperature, covered.)
• Bake, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, until top is crisp and golden. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.