Best 4 Saffron Scented Cauliflower Pasta Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Are you craving a delightful and aromatic pasta dish that will tantalize your taste buds? Look no further! Saffron scented cauliflower pasta is an exquisite culinary creation that combines the earthy flavors of cauliflower with the vibrant aroma of saffron. This dish is not only visually stunning but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect choice for health-conscious individuals. With its creamy sauce, tender cauliflower florets, and the delicate fragrance of saffron, this pasta is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. So, get ready to embark on a culinary journey and discover the secrets of crafting this delectable dish.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SAFFRON ROASTED CAULIFLOWER



Saffron Roasted Cauliflower image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon lightly crumbled saffron threads
1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 shallot, chopped
Kosher salt
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Chopped fresh parsley, for topping

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the saffron, coriander, garlic, shallot and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until the shallot is translucent and the oil turns yellow, about 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower, lemon juice and 1/3 cup water. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower turns yellow and the water has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast, stirring halfway through, until the cauliflower is tender and golden, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and sprinkle with parsley.

SICILIAN PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER



Sicilian Pasta With Cauliflower image

A favorite island vegetable combines with raisins and saffron to introduce a sweet element to a savory, salty mix. Cauliflower is a favorite vegetable in Sicily, though the variety used most often is the light green cauliflower that we can find in some farmers' markets in the United States. I found the recipe upon which this is based in Clifford A. Wright's first cookbook, "Cucina Paradiso: The Heavenly Food of Sicily." And it is heavenly. The raisins or currants and saffron introduce a sweet element into the savory and salty mix.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, pastas, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/4 cup golden raisins or currants
Pinch of saffron threads
1 medium cauliflower, about 2 pounds, leaves removed and bottom trimmed
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 anchovy fillets, rinsed and chopped
1 14-ounce can chopped tomatoes, with juice
3 tablespoons pine nuts or chopped blanched almonds
Freshly ground pepper to taste
3/4 pound perciatelli (also sold as bucatini) or spaghetti
2 tablespoons grated pecorino
2 tablespoons slivered basil

Steps:

  • Place the raisins or currants in a small bowl and cover with warm water. In another bowl combine the saffron with 3 tablespoons warm water. Let both sit for 20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Add the cauliflower and boil gently until the florets are tender but the middle resists when poked with a skewer or knife, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoons or tongs (or a pasta insert) remove the cauliflower from the water, transfer to a bowl of cold water and drain. Cover the pot and turn off the heat. You will cook the pasta in the cauliflower water. Cut the florets from the core of the cauliflower and cut them into small florets or crumble coarsely using a fork or your hands.
  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until it smells fragrant, about 30 seconds to a minute, and add the anchovies and tomatoes. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes. Drain the raisins or currants and add, along with the saffron and its soaking liquid, cauliflower, pine nuts or almonds, and about 1/4 cup of the cooking water from the cauliflower. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover, turn the heat to low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep warm while you cook the pasta.
  • Bring the cauliflower water back to a boil and cook the pasta al dente, following the timing instructions on the package. Check the sauce and if it seems dry add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and transfer to the pan with the sauce. Toss together and serve, sprinkled with pecorino and chopped basil leaves. If desired, drizzle a little olive oil over each serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 511, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 81 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 1034 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams

SAFFRON SCENTED CAULIFLOWER PASTA



Saffron Scented Cauliflower Pasta image

Scandinavian flavors of saffron and golden raisins flavor this cauliflower and small pasta dish. Crispy, toasted bread crumbs lend a light crunch for contrast.

Provided by Ben S.

Categories     Ziti

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 teaspoon crushed saffron threads
1 cup boiling water
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
¼ cup butter, melted
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
1 head cauliflower, chopped into bite size pieces
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup golden raisins
¼ cup pine nuts

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Stir the saffron threads into the boiling water, and cover. Set aside to steep for several minutes while proceeding with the recipe.
  • Toss the bread crumbs together with the melted butter, and lay out evenly on a cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and crispy, about 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the chopped cauliflower and saffron water; season to taste with salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer, uncovered, until the cauliflower has softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the raisins, pine nuts, and cooked ziti. Pour into a serving dish and sprinkle with browned bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 484.5 calories, Carbohydrate 78.3 g, Cholesterol 20.3 mg, Fat 13.6 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 14.4 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 238.3 mg, Sugar 13.5 g

RIGATONI WITH CAULIFLOWER, SAFFRON, AND RAISINS



Rigatoni with Cauliflower, Saffron, and Raisins image

This vegetarian pasta dish is popular in Sicily and southern Italy.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup golden raisins
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
7 anchovy fillets, minced
3 tablespoons capers (optional)
2 pinches saffron threads
1 cup Homemade Chicken Stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat, or white wine
1 medium head cauliflower, rinsed and trimmed to 1-inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound dried rigatoni
10 fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted

Steps:

  • Cover raisins with warm water in a bowl. Cook garlic and oil in a skillet over medium-low heat until garlic begins to brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Add pepper flakes, anchovies, capers, saffron, and stock. Stir, cook until combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and raisins; season with salt and black pepper. Cook, covered, 10 to 12 minutes, until cauliflower is tender. Uncover; let liquid reduce slightly over high heat, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until just tender. Drain; toss into warm cauliflower mixture. Just before serving, tear basil leaves, and toss into pasta along with pine nuts.

Tips:

  • Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and tools ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling.
  • Choose the right cauliflower: Look for a head of cauliflower that is compact and heavy for its size, with tightly packed florets. Avoid any cauliflower that has brown or yellow spots.
  • Roast the cauliflower before cooking: Roasting the cauliflower before adding it to the pasta helps to bring out its natural sweetness and flavor. You can roast the cauliflower in the oven or on a grill.
  • Use a good quality pasta: The type of pasta you use will make a big difference in the final dish. Look for a pasta that is made with high-quality ingredients and that has a good texture.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: Pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant to eat.
  • Sauté the aromatics: Sautéing the aromatics, such as garlic, onion, and chili pepper, in olive oil will help to release their flavor and fragrance.
  • Use a flavorful broth: The broth you use will add a lot of flavor to the pasta dish. Use a broth that is made with high-quality ingredients and that has a rich flavor.
  • Add the roasted cauliflower and pasta to the broth: Once the broth is simmering, add the roasted cauliflower and pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • Stir in the saffron and Parmesan cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the saffron and Parmesan cheese. Saffron is a very expensive spice, so a little goes a long way. Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor to the dish.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs: Before serving, garnish the pasta with fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, or chives. This will add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.

Conclusion:

Saffron scented cauliflower pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The roasted cauliflower adds a sweet and savory flavor to the pasta, while the saffron and Parmesan cheese add a touch of luxury. This dish is sure to impress your friends and family.

Related Topics