PPN Cheesy Cauliflower and Bean Pasta and happy times

On Friday night we went to our local library to see Shirley the Ukelele Lady.  It was a relaxed event and lots of fun.  Sylvia had plenty of space for her Whirling Dervishes dancing.  We also won two door prizes.  A cookbook and a book about food - how wonderful that libraries now have musical performances and give away books!  Afterwards we walked home and ate a bowl of pasta while watching our new Swallows and Amazons DVD.

I wasn't going to post this Cheesy Cauliflower and Bean Pasta.  It was a quick weeknight dish that I made on a low energy night when I was very tempted to get takeaway.  There was a large cauliflower that had been in the fridge for a week.  I was starting to feel guilty every time I looked in the crisper.  It was really intended for Mel's risotto but pasta seemed easier.  It was surprisingly good.  E loved it.  And there were leftovers for Friday night.  So it is recorded below.  Quantities are approximate because I didn't use measurements.

I was inspired by this pasta dish.  Frying vegies on the stovetop, adding a can of beans and some cheese makes for very tasty pasta.  It doesn't seem the healthiest way to eat vegies but it is more satisfying than a jar of pasta sauce and makes the pasta go further.

After a wonderfully serendipitous dish, I wanted to share some recent good things in life.  Not everything has been great - last week was busy with staff meetings at work, it rained all day yesterday - albeit good for the garden - and the trains were terrible today.  But it doesn't do to dwell on such things when I have lots to make me happy:

1. A sunny Sunday.  After yesterday's rain I really appreciated a fine sunny day today.  Sylvia and dolly had a few lovely rides around the block on the new bike.  We had curry, apples and ice cream in the city for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.  And the washing dried on the line.

2. Pancakes.  Yesterday I tried a teddy bear pancake for the first time (inspired by Jim's Pancakes).  I need more practice but am pleased with my start and it made us all smile before dousing it in maple syrup.  Flipping pancakes for Sylvia's amusement is also fun.  Last weekend we had pancakes for breakfast outside before the day heated up (to 38 C) and it was just such a relaxing way to start the day, with the couple across the back lane picking figs from their huge tree that overlooks our yard.

3. Books.  I am really enjoying reading Cold Light by Frank Moorhouse (very slowly).  Yet my most amazing moment with books happened earlier this year.  I had just finished reading a novel and found a picture that looked exactly as I thought the main character might look.  I emailed the picture to my sister who knows the author and passed it on.  The author wrote back to say yes that is her, without the glasses.  If only I had a hotline to authors of other books I read to check I am on the right track.

I am sending the pasta sauce to Simona of Briciole for Presto Pasta Nights #254, a great pasta event coordinated by Ruth of Once Upon a Feast.  Last week was the 5th birthday bash for the event.  Belated congratulations to Ruth and all the hosts and participants for keeping it going so long.  I am sorry I have been AWOL from the event for so long but glad to be part of the fun again.

Previously on Green Gourmet Giraffe:
This time last year: PPN Spring Rolls, Salad, Changes and CNY
This time two years ago: Each Peach - baby blocks and ice cream that rocks
This time three years ago: Hospital food and mum’s cooking
This time four years ago: Sydney Road – one street, two festivals

Cheesy Cauliflower and Bean Pasta
serves 4

• Olive oil
• 1 red onion, finely sliced
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, cut into thin sticks
• 1/2 cauliflower, chopped into small florets
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp seeded mustard
• 1 dessert bowl of dried wholemeal pasta
• 400g tin of beans (I used borlotti but would chickpeas would be great), rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• seasoning

Heat slurp of olive oil in a large saucepan.  Fry onions, celery and carrot until softened (5-15 minutes, depending on how high the heat is).  Add cauliflower, smoked paprika, mustard and a pinch of salt.  Drizzle a bit more olive oil over it and fry over medium high heat until cauliflower is soft (10-15 minutes).  While cauliflower is heating, cook and drain the pasta according to instructions on the packet (ours took about 14 minutes).  Add beans and stir for a minute or two to heat them up.  Stir in cheeses and add pasta. Add a spoonful or two of pasta water if needed to loosen up the sauce but not too much or you will loose the creaminess of the cheese.  Check seasoning.  Serve hot.

On the Stereo:
Hawiian Sunset: Arthur Lyman