Adapted from Sunday Suppers at Lucques by Suzanne Goin.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb kale (your bunch approx.), ribs removed and leaves roughly torn
1/4 cup olive oil
1 small sprig rosemary
1 red chile, pinches red pepper flakes
1 small onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1/2 of head cauliflower, about 1 lb, broken into bite-sized florets
1/2 lb. orecchiette pasta
1 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 tablespoon currants or raisins
1/2 cp bread crumbs, toasted

Preparation:
In large heavy pot, heat half the olive oil over medium heat.
Add half the chili and the rosemary sprig.
Allow them to sizzle in the oil for a minute, then add half the onion.
As it softens, after about two minutes, add half the garlic and season with salt and pepper.
Continue cooking until the onion turns golden, then add the kale and stir to coat with the oil.
Splash in 1/4 cup of water and cover tightly, turning the heat to low.
Cook until tender, about 30 minutes, then remove the rosemary sprig.
10 minutes before cooking is through, add the currants to plump up.

In the meantime, heat the remaining oil in a second wide, heavy skillet over medium heat.
Add the remaining onion and chile.
When it begins to color add the anchovy fillet, mashing them into the oil to melt.
Increase the heat to high and add the cauliflower with a hefty pinch of salt and pepper.
Cook, tossing and stirring often, until the cauliflower is richly caramelized and tender, but not mushy.
Season to taste as necessary.
When the cauliflower is near done, add the pine nuts to toast in the pan.

In the meantime, cook the orrecchiette in salty boiling water until al dente.
Drain, reserving a full cup of pasta cooking water.
Combine all the ingredients into the largest pot, where you cooked either the kale or the cauliflower.
Turn the heat to high. Allow the pasta to turn slightly golden and crisp, scraping it off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
After a couple minutes, add some reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce and season to taste.
Serve in bowls with the breadcrumbs scattered over the top.

 Print This Page