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Ok I confess. I’ve been totally whoring myself on carbs lately like nobody’s business. If it ain’t rice or noodles, it’s pasta that I’ve been frequently dumping my face into and most of the time, while sitting on my tired arse in front of the tv. Pasta is no doubt, my never-fail tv dinner.
With summer roaring in, it’s definitely too crazy for pasta with heavy sauces. Don’t get me wrong, I would die without my ragu bolognese but I ain’t no masochist in this heat so lighter options are now my favourites, such as those that are simply tossed in olive oil and fresh ingredients (such as this citrusy number).
I know it’s easy to dismiss a plain jane vegetable like cauliflower but there’s so much pleasure to be had if it’s cooked properly to retain its natural sweetness (big fat no no to bland ‘choking hazards’ in stir fries!). Yes it’s a damn bitch to cut those giant heads into gob-friendly sized florets and even more tedious to clean up its debris.
But trust me it’s worth it. Especially when you toast it until it’s gloriously golden and caramelised. And it doesn’t stop there. Add some smokey, salty speck, a burst of lemon, a touch of chilli and garlic (or in my case, a sadistic hit) and then finally, finish it off with a healthy lashing of parsley and there you have it; TV dinner at its most awesome.
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go the carbs…delicious stuff! i have a weakness for carbs too altho i am trying to move myself into salad territory!…lovely images…i would happily eat a bowl of this! dayle
Goddamn I love cauliflower. It’s such an underrated vegetable. I am so making this for dinner this week!
Steph recently posted..Ribena Cupcakes
Looks so simple and so fresh! Love how you’re positng recipes that are perfect for the up and coming summer :D
Tina @ bitemeshowme recently posted..Ms. G’s, Potts Point
I’ve been consuming boat loads of carbs lately too.. it’s just so easy! And the best food ever. :) I really like the look of this dish, light and fresh for summer..
Natashia@foodonpaper recently posted..Apple, Cranberry and Almond Loaf
I have the same issues with chopping up broccoli – all the wasted little bits fallen everywhere!
But speck/bacon fixes everything, right?
Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse) recently posted..Let’s do brunch 2011: Hyde Park Barracks Café
This looks delicious!
I wonder if the spaghetti could be replaced with udon noodles. So good
Nothing like a big bowl of carbs and some tv to round off the day – not to mention the blissful carb-induced sleep that follows! Loving your photos!
Jacq recently posted..Hyde Park Barracks Cafe, Sydney
Stop it this instant. Im hungry!
This is epic as far as TV dinners go? I approve. Although I sort of wish it was in a divided, microwavable tray. Oh wait, no I don’t. ;)
Sasha (Global Table Adventure) recently posted..About the food of Laos: Finding the Holy Grail
Totally agree!!! Pasta is my favorite tv dinner. I swear I could eat a pound of it, if I let myself. Nothing is more comforting or delicious, in my opinion.
Love the combination of flavors in this dish–I have already bookmarked it–speck is delicious! I’ve only had it a few times, but its so yummy.
Oh how I miss carbs :( I love the use of cauliflower in this – so quick and easy but packed with flavour. NOM
Nic@diningwithastud recently posted..Antipasto cob – The perfect picnic lunch
This looks amazing! I am so trying this – I love new pasta dishes. :)
sara recently posted..Eggplant Parmesan Pasta Bake
Looks delish! Pasta is also my weakness and I love cauliflower so this just may end up on the dinner table one day this week! Such a simple dish. Seems so light yet so satisfying! Thanks for sharing!
Karen – that looks amaaaaaazing!! Beautiful photographs, as always. And I think the combination of flavours would be spectacular.
I’m having a bit of a carb festival down in Adelaide myself – can’t seem to get enough of noodles and rice at the moment. Not to mention cake, biscuits and bread. It this keeps up, I’m going to be in serious trouble soon :)
Christina @ The Hungry Australian recently posted..A Seafood Extravaganza: Launch of the Eyre Peninsula Seafood Guide at Jolley’s Boathouse
yum! I love veggies in pasta and cauliflower is no exception. I’m with you on the carb love, I especially love me some good pasta action and would also die a slow death from lack of slow cooked ragu, but luckily fresh pestos and new combos keep the pasta lovin alive!
jas recently posted..Banana Cake with Caramel Icing: Gluten Free Recipe
This is a great recipe and I will definitely cook this. Love your photography.
Hotly Spiced recently posted..The Mark
YUM! I think we all love some carb-y goodness! and what’s speck? is it similar to bacon and can you buy it from regular delis? thankss!
Hi there! Yep speck is pretty much like an unsliced slab of bacon but smokier depending on which brand you buy. It should be available in delis (I got mine from a supermarket). Also feel free to substitute with a slab of pancetta or smoky uncut bacon :)
wow, this looks fantastic!
god that looks delicious.. totally would trade my lunch in for your spaghetti!!
Dolly recently posted..Creme caramel recipe
I’m also into pasta any time anywhere. And cauliflowers… when baked with cheese lol. No really, I havent had them caramelised before but that sounds pretty good!!
catty recently posted..bite sized: summer’s here. gelato time.
I’m with you on the carb love, I especially love me some good pasta action and would also die a slow death from lack of slow cooked ragu, but luckily fresh pestos and new combos keep the pasta lovin alive! wow, this looks fantastic!
Alisha Fuentes recently posted..Gout Tips
I totally agree! Haha — the combination of pasta and TV is dangerous for me. I can consume way more than my fair portion. It’s so comforting and delicious. I am a carb-oholic.
This pasta looks great! I’ve had speck a handful of times and always loved it. And cauliflower is definitely one of my favorite winter veggies! Great photos, thanks for sharing :)
Loving your photos! I think we all love some carb-y goodness! I’ve only had it a few times, but its so yummy. I swear I could eat a pound of it, if I let myself.
Kelli Morse recently posted..Many Mops
Delicious recipie, thanks! Will make again.
I made lemon spaghetti in an early season of ‘Everyday Italian,’ and to this day people still come up to me and say they love it. It’s very, very simple. Basically, you cook the pasta and mix together Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice and zest and pour it over the pasta.
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