Orecchiette with Cauliflower and Dill (2)

I am trying hard not to add to my extensive cookery book collection until I have passed on a few. But when a new Nigel Slater book comes out I just cannot resist . Here is the first recipe I tried from his latest book ” A Cook’s Book”. And very good it is too, especially on the days when you want a quick, comforting cheesy supper. I couldn’t get any dill on this occasion, but use it if you can.

Cauliflower and Pear Bake (4-6)

A recipe from Israel to serve as a main with salad or to accompany roasts or kebabs. In 1980 I spent four months volunteering on Kibbutz Eynat in Petah Tikva near Tel Aviv. I mostly worked in the restaurant ( three shifts…) or bakery( nights) but they also grew cotton besides the runway at Tel Aviv airport. Volunteers were not meant to work there but we did, and it was my favourite job as we completed work by late morning leaving the rest of the day free. It involved a 5 am start and drive to the airport , then after a couple of hours we would take a breakfast break. We would finish by 11am because after that it was to too hot. Back to the kibbutz for lunch and an afternoon spent lounging by the pool.

The recipe is from ” Vegetarian Dishes from the Middle East” by Arto Der Haroutunian.