they say that opposites attract. (they meaning society, cliches, take your pick). but i'd like to beg to differ. i had some hallmates i used to hang out with at the beginning of my freshman year, but over time, i came to find that we just weren't that similar. there was a time where i basically had to drag them out of the hall to get donuts with me. who's not down for donuts??? (aside from if you're gluten free, at which point you are exempt and i am down to get an acai bowl with you like the basic california girl that i am). and then when we got to the donut place, they 1) got the same thing and 2) weren't down to share with me. no wonder that i, a food obsessed person, did not last in friendshipial bliss with these otherwise nice humans.
i'm not saying that i want to be friends with my carbon copies. no, then we'd snipe at each other and enable the other to buy and consume way too much food. i'm saying that there needs to be threads of commonality that run deeper than a mutual interest in a trashy mtv reality dating show (what can i say, i was bored my freshman year).
pasta, cauliflower, pecans and feta are all fairly agreeable ingredients. they go with a lot of things, and aren't opposite of many things. so, this weeknight cauliflower pasta with pecans and feta works. the crunchy, toasty nuts mingle with the chewy pasta. the salty, creamy feta goes with the assertive scallion and vinegar, which also goes with the sweet, tender cauliflower and onion. harmonious? i think YES.
1 year ago: Miso Pilaf with Cucumber and Grilled Eggplant, Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
2 years ago: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Cherry Garcia Cake
3 years ago: Tofu Banh Mi Salad, Bon Appetit's Best Banana Bread (apparently i had a thing for bon appetit + banana bread...)
4 years ago: Aunty Pin's Banana Nut Bread, Bon Appetit's Cocoa Brownies
- 1 head cauliflower cut into small florets
- 1 onion sliced thinly
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 lb pasta cooked
- extra-virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar and lemon juice to taste
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans, almonds or walnuts
- 1/2 cup feta or ricotta salata crumbled
- 2 scallions chopped
-
Heat some oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the cauliflower. When the cauliflower begins to soften, add the onion and garlic. Saute until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Add vinegar and lemon juice to taste. Add the pasta, then add enough extra-virgin olive oil to coat the pasta thoroughly. Toss and serve with the nuts, cheese and scallions on top.
From Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse Vegetables. Should you want some more protein, might I suggest an egg? I like hard-boiled or fried. Chickpeas (or other beans) or chicken (or other protein) also work well here. Calorie information does not include to taste quantities.
more pasta
Creamy Corn and Oyster Mushroom Zucchini Pasta
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies, so this pasta looks awesome! Have a great week, Heather!
Laura says
Heather, this combination sounds amazing! These are not ingredients I would think of combining. I'm glad they at least are enjoying some "friendshipial bliss" - great term, BTW!
Heather says
i wonder when i can submit "friendshipial bliss" to be placed in a dictionary (;
Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says
Looks super delicious! I literally can't wait to try it!!
Heather says
thanks, kim!!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
Looks yummy! I would totally add the egg and chickpeas too. And how could someone not want to go get donuts?!! I’d go with you anytime. But we would end up buying every variety just to try them all hahahaha 🙂 xoxo
Heather says
not sure why anyone wouldn't want donuts! (jk, one of my friends doesn't like donuts, though she does like churros and malasadas. not sure what's going on with that lol). and yessss, variety is always the way to go (:
Maria @ kitchenathoskins says
A simple, healthy and sound super flavorful Heather. Have a great week 🙂
Heather says
thanks maria!
cakespy says
Wow, this sounds tasty. I've been trying to branch out from my regular roster of recipes (I can def get in a brussels sprout rut at this time of year) so this is a good one to try, it includes so many things I love!
Heather says
oh, i know what you mean about vegetable ruts! i had a massive spaghetti squash a few weeks ago, and it took me eating it multiple times a day to finish it over a week. i'm going to ignore spaghetti squash for a while now (;
Patrick@looneyforfood.com says
Everything in this looks amazing!! And I agree, on the outside opposites can attract (for example my dad-tatto covered, Mom-your typical gal next door) But on the inside they have the same morals and life goals. You need that common ground. Food does as well. As much as I love donuts, I don’t want it mixed with my steak!
Heather says
i wouldn't be surprised if steaks were mixed with donuts. there's a place near me that does a pesto, ham and egg doughnut, and i've seen donut burgers floating around on the internet. but i'm with you; i want steak separated from donuts!
Cara says
I feel you, opposites dont always attract, and having at least a few substantial things in common makes for great friendships and relationships in general. also PS this pasta looks and sounds so dang delicious, i just might have to go make some myself
Heather says
thanks, cara!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I don't know if I could be friends with someone who wouldn't share their food with me, haha - how else are you supposed to try a bunch of different things!? This is a brilliant veggie meal Heather!
Heather says
yessss. i bet that's an overarching deal breaker if you're friends with a food blogger (;
GiGi Eats says
That looks pretty heavenly to me! I love eggs and cauliflower together!
Heather says
thanks, gigi! tbh i love eggs with anything vegetable lol.
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
This looks like a hearty meal 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I love cauliflower - one of my fave veggies....add it to the list 😉 Love the combo with pasta and feta - hearty and delish (plus healthy) Yum! P.S. It's always a good time for donuts 🙂
Heather says
i'm convinced that pasta and feta make anything savory better! (actually though: i add feta to almost all of my salads lol).
David @ Spiced says
Haha! I have to admit that trashy tv is always a good time on occasion...especially is said trashy tv is accompanied by donuts. Because donuts make everything better! (I'd even bet donuts would make an acai bowl better...is that sacrilege?) Love this combo of flavors you've got going on here, Heather! Sounds like a delicious meal to me!
Heather says
hmm, i love donuts and acai bowls, so while i'm not sure how it would work, i would probably be down to taste it anyways (; my dad has this philosophy that frying anything makes it better, which sounds like your donut proclamation!
Marie | Yay! For Food says
I'll get donuts with you! 🙂 This pasta sounds wonderful with all the lovely flavours and textures mingling together. Love cauliflower and feta especially!
Heather says
yeah, there's so many great textures here! chewy pasta, tender cauliflower, crunchy pecans, creamy feta 😍
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
Consider me down for this healthy, delicious cauliflower pasta dish, Heather! And yes on the hard boiled egg. Make mine with a little bit of salt and way too much black pepper!
Heather says
there's something so good about hardboiled eggs with salt and pepper! i tend to add more seasonings than that to my food, but hardboiled eggs don't need anything else (:
Kankana says
Oh the fun of college days 😀 That pasta sounds really good and I love that you add such different flavor combination.
Heather says
thanks, kankana!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
This is a very nutrient-dense and mouth-watering recipe, Heather! Excellent choice for a quick lunch!
Heather says
even quicker if you make a huge batch on sunday! some days i just need food FAST and can't even wait for cauliflower or pasta to cook (;
Jenny | The Baking Skillet says
My friends need to share food with me! This is basic principle. I would never have thought to put these ingredients together Heather and I like all of them. thanks for sharing!
Heather says
thanks, jenny!
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
YUM...great combination of ingredients. I have not tried cauliflower in pasta, but that changes here! Definitely want to try this. Looks great.
Have a great weekend Heather!
Heather says
cauliflower + pasta is one of my staples! they're both such quick cookers, and if i'm being really efficient, i can use the same water to cook them (:
Alia | Everyday Easy Eats says
Love all the ingredients in this Cauliflower Pasta, Heather! The feta and pecan are such good additions to a pasta dish, because they add such great texture and flavor. Wicked weeknight dinner recipe! 🙂
All That I'm Eating says
I really like the sound of this, perfect for a busy week. I normally have most of those ingredients in my kitchen!
Heather says
thanks, caroline! a lot of these are staples in my kitchen too, so it makes it even easier to whip up (:
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
Hahha, I totally agree. Dude, I would be your friend! I am always down for doughnuts and I always share my food 😉
Heather says
hahaha. in fact, i'm going out tonight, and i'm already messaging my friend to make sure we're on the same page about what we're ordering 😂😅
Christina says
I want to face plant into that pasta dish! I adore cauliflower, this recipe looks and sounds so dang delicious! Gimme Gimme!!
Heather says
thanks, christina!
Joyce says
That's funny, I always change my order if someone orders the same thing as me - not to be a hipster and all that jazz but I love sharing food! But omg if they didn't share 🙁 yea I'd be stomping my feet a bit haha 🙂
Heather says
sameee even if that someone orders what i really wanted lol