Tag: Olives

Roasted Cauliflower with Pancetta, Olives and Crisp Parmesan over Fettucine

Posted on by Bruce Barone in Recipes

This might be the best pasta recipe I have ever made. It’s based on one from Melissa Clark. I made a few changes which I note below.

Melissa writes: “Studded with salty olives, pancetta and Parmesan that gets golden and crisp at the edges, this is roasted cauliflower at its brightest and most full-flavored. You can serve the caramelized florets either as a vegetable-based main dish or a hearty side to roasted meats or fish, or big bowls of pasta. The recipe calls for using a package of finely diced pancetta that practically melts into the sauce. But if you prefer a chunkier texture, you can dice it yourself into 1/2-inch cubes, and add them with the cauliflower. Or, to make this vegetarian, just leave the pancetta out.”

Ingredients

  • 1 large head cauliflower (about 1 3/4 pounds), trimmed and cut into bite-size florets (about 8 cups)
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • ⅓ cup olives, crushed, pitted and chopped (I used Castelvetrano olives.)
  • 1 fat garlic clove, finely grated or minced
  • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more as needed
  • 4 ounces pancetta or bacon, cut into 1/8-inch cubes
  • ¾ teaspoon cumin or caraway seeds (I used cumin seeds.)
  • ½ cup shredded (not ground) Parmesan
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or mint leaves and tender stems, for serving (I didn’t have so I used fresh chives.)

Preparation

  1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place cauliflower on a rimmed baking sheet (I used a cast iron pan) and toss with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well coated. Roast for 15 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together olives, garlic, lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon red-pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt. Drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, whisking well.
  3. After the cauliflower has roasted for 15 minutes, add pancetta and cumin seeds to pan and gently mix to combine. Sprinkle Parmesan on top and roast for another 15 to 20 minutes, until cauliflower is tender, the pancetta rendered, and cheese is golden brown and crunchy. (I added #4 to the cast iron pan for a few minutes.)
  4. Spoon olive dressing all over roasted cauliflower while still hot and toss to combine. Taste, and add more salt, red-pepper flakes or lemon juice, if needed. Scatter parsley over the top before serving. (I used fresh chivies.)

Moroccan Baked Fish with Potatoes, Peppers and Olives

Posted on by Bruce Barone in Food Photography, Inspiration, Recipes

Quoting The New York Times:

“Bake fish Moroccan-style with spices, herbs, tomatoes and olives. This easy all-in-one recipe can be served immediately or at room temperature, making it perfect for a dinner party. Double or triple it if you’d like, and include it as part of a buffet. With a good bottle of wine, it will feel just like summer.”

Featured in: Adventures In New Greek Reds.

So delicious!

Ingredients

  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1 tablespoon minced cilantro leaves
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika, preferably hot
  • 1 pinch saffron threads, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 and 1/2 pounds fish fillets (4 fillets): fluke, black sea bass, hake (I used COD.)
  • 1 pound large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, in half-inch-thick slices
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 red bell pepper, cored and slivered
  • 1 pint (1 pound) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Half-cup pitted Kalamata olives

Preparation

  1. Combine garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, paprika and saffron in a dish big enough for the fish. Mix vinegar, lemon juice and tomato paste in a small bowl. Add to dish and mix. Place fillets in the dish, turning to coat them, cover and set aside to marinate 2 hours at room temperature, 3 hours if refrigerated.
  2. Place potatoes in a saucepan, add water to cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Drain.
  3. Brush a baking dish that can go to the table and will hold the fish in a single layer with a little of the oil. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread potatoes in the dish, season with salt and pepper, and place fish fillets on top. Scatter peppers and tomatoes over fish. Add a little more salt and pepper. Spoon any excess marinade over fish, strew with olives, drizzle with remaining oil and bake about 30 minutes, until fish is just cooked through.

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