RETURN OF THE RECIPE OF THE WEEK! Cauliflower is bright and beautiful this time of year and this recipe puts it front and center. I used fresh rigatoni from the Farmers' Market, but any short pasta will work.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces fresh rigatoni
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 clove garlic, smashed and peeled
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 medium head cauliflower, chopped, about 4 cups
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme, plus leaves for topping
- ½ cup grated Gruyère
- Fresh sage leaves for topping
Instructions
Serves 4
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine milk, cream, garlic, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add cauliflower, cover, and cook until just tender, about 4 minutes. Remove half the cauliflower and set aside.
- Continue cooking remaining cauliflower, covered, until soft, about 8 additional minutes. Remove garlic from cream and discard.
- Working in batches, transfer cream-cauliflower mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.
- In a large bowl, toss pasta with cream-cauliflower mixture, reserved cauliflower, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat broiler. Divide pasta between 4 gratin dishes. Top each with cheese, thyme leaves, and sage. Broil until cheese is browned and bubbling, about 5 minutes.
