An experiment today! I made a list of the things that we had in the store cupboard and the fridge, and asked Chat GPT to suggest 10 different ideas. I also set a criteria that it should be makeable within 1 hour. Once we had decided on two of the suggestions, we asked for a detailed recipe for both. We honed in on one, and the results are below.
One of the things that people often complain about is not having ideas for new recipes to make, and AI means we don’t really have an excuse!
Ingredients:
- Pasta of your choice (enough for 2 servings)
- 1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/2 cup of vegetable broth or water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Nutritional yeast or a pinch of turmeric for color and added flavor
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for some heat
- Optional: Fresh herbs like parsley or chives for garnish
- Optional: Steamed or sautéed vegetables like peas, carrots, or spinach for added nutrients
Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water for later use.
2. Prepare the Cauliflower:
In another pot, bring water to a boil and add the cauliflower florets.
Cook until the cauliflower is very tender, about 7-10 minutes.
Drain and set aside.
3. Make the Cauliflower Sauce:
In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
In a blender*, combine the cooked cauliflower, sautéed garlic, vegetable broth (or water), salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. If you have nutritional yeast or turmeric, add it now for extra flavor and color.
If the sauce is too thick, add more broth or reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
4. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
Pour the cauliflower sauce over the cooked pasta in a pot or pan.
Heat everything together over medium heat, stirring until well combined and heated through. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water.
5. Add Optional Ingredients:
If using, add red pepper flakes for heat, or fold in your choice of steamed or sautéed vegetables**.
6. Serve:
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
This recipe offers a healthy, creamy, and satisfying dish, with the cauliflower sauce providing a delightful and nutritious alternative to traditional cream sauce.
* we actually used an immersion / stick blender here!
** went for sautéed mushrooms.