Cauliflower Marranca

I served this dish with broccoli and tomatoes

I am always looking for new recipes that include cauliflower.  This one turned out very good.  This recipe is from Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen.  The only thing I would modify is steam the cauliflower before sautéing it.  The easiest way to do that is add a little water to the bottom of a microwave safe bowl, cover, and cook about 1 minute.  You don't want to over steam it because you do bake it in the oven.  But not steaming it causes the cauliflower to be a little crunchier than I prefer.

Prep Time: about 10 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes stove top
Cook Time: 30 minutes at 300 degrees F in the oven

Total Time: 50 minutes - 20 minutes prep and sauteing and 30 minutes baking

Servings: 5-6


Ingredients:


3 cups cooked brown rice or millet - salted and buttered
1 lbs mushrooms, sliced
1 lemon - juiced
1 large onion, chopped
1 large head cauliflower in flower pieces - saute with 3 cloves crushed garlic, basil, salt and pepper
2 1/2 cups grated cheese of your choice


Directions Modified:


1. Preheat oven 350 degrees F
2. Steam cauliflower until almost soft
3. Saute mushrooms and onions in butter and lemon juice in one pan
4. Saute cauliflower with garlic, basil, salt and pepper in another pan
5. Combine cooked rice, mushrooms, onion, cauliflower, and cheese.
6. Bake, covered, 1/2 hour

Easy Pesto Sauce

As we are getting ready to vacation in Italy, I decided to make some Italian food.  I usually make my own pasta sauce but have never made pesto sauce.  It could not be easier!  If you like pesto you should try this simple and easy recipe.

I took this recipe from Rick Steve's Italy movie along with tips from online.  There was a short demonstration on the movie which told what to put in it.  This sauce is strong but very tasty!  I made some bruschetta to go along with the pesto and pasta.

Prep Time: about 8 minutes, plus time to cook pasta
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves - the easiest thing to do is buy a small herb plant unless you have basil growing in your garden
• 1/2 cup pine nuts (I heated them about 5 minutes on the stove)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a food processor, blend together basil leaves, nuts, garlic, and oil.  Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Serve over warm pasta and top with cheese.

The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet

I am always looking for new cookbooks.  Today I received the book, The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet by Nava Atlast in the mail.  After looking through it I am really looking forward to trying some of the recipes.  I cannot wait to share them with you, along with a picture, and how long it took to prepare and cook.  Simple is the key according to Atlas and that sounds great to me.