Orecchiette with Caramelized Cauliflower, Shallots, and Herbed Breadcrumbs

Ingredients

• Salt

  Table

  1 dash or 0.4g

• Cauliflower

  Raw

  ½ head large or 420g

• Italian Orecchiette

  Trader Joe's

  2 cup or 224g

• Panko Breadcrumbs

  Japanese Style - Trader Joe's

  ½ cup or 34g

• Mint

  Freshdirect

  ⅓ tablespoon or 1g

• Parsley

  Raw

  2 tsp or 3g

• Crushed red pepper flakes

  ¼ tsp or 0.08g

• Olive oil

  Salad or cooking

  4 tbsp or 54g

• Shallots

  Raw

  2 shallot (medium) or 85g

Directions

1. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Fill a large pot with water, and bring to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt, and return to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until just tender. Immediately transfer cauliflower to ice-water bath; let cool about 1 minute before draining.
2. Combine the breadcrumbs, mint, parsley, red pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until crumbly and well combined; set aside.
3. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt and return to a boil.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer cauliflower to a plate. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, add the orecchiette to the boiling water and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Add drained pasta to skillet, along with cauliflower, and some of the pasta cooking liquid, and toss ingredients together for a few minutes; add more water to the pan as necessary to keep pasta moist.
6. Divide pasta evenly among 4 bowls. Sprinkle each with a tablespoon of breadcrumbs. Serve immediately.