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Linguine with Cauliflower and Brown Butter

Cauliflower topped with brown butter and bread crumbs is a classic French dish; here the same components (plus sage, often used to flavor brown butter) combine to produce a delicious pasta sauce.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 head cauliflower (2 1/2 pounds), cut into florets
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup water
1 pound linguine
10 fresh sage leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
1 shallot, minced
3/4 cup firmly packed coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/3 cup plain dried (coarse) bread crumbs, homemade (see page 365) or store-bought

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add cauliflower and season with salt; cook until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Add the water; cook until cauliflower is tender when pierced with a sharp knife, 3 to 4 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil; add a generous amount of salt. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta.

    Step 3

    Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in same pot over medium heat. Stir in sage and shallot; cook, stirring, until butter is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add pasta, cauliflower, parsley, and parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Add enough reserved pasta water to create a thin sauce to coat pasta.

    Step 4

    To serve, divide among shallow bowls, and sprinkle with bread crumbs and additional cheese.

Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2010 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by the Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine’s editors. Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.
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