ISO: ISO quick help....Should I substitute Medium Couscous, Orzo or Small Pastini in the attached MS rec

In Search Of:

barb_b

Well-known member
I could not find the Large Couscous that is listed in the recipe....

Thanks in advance for your thoughts/ideas!!

Regards and Happy T-Day!,

Barb

Cauliflower Gratin with Endive

Serves 8

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for dish

2 heads Belgian endive, cut lengthwise into sixths

1 cup fregola Sarda (semolina pasta) or Israeli (large pearl) couscous

2 large heads cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cut into florets

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups milk

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh marjoram or oregano

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 cups finely grated Gruyère cheese (about 10 ounces)

1/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs

1/4 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)

1. Preheat oven to 400°, with rack in lower third. Butter a 1 1/2-quart, deep, wide ovenproof dish. Put endive in bottom of dish. Arrange pasta or couscous over endive. Top with cauliflower.

2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Whisk in milk; cook, whisking, until mixture thickens, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in marjoram, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Whisk in Gruyère until smooth. Pour over cauliflower. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Set dish on a baking sheet.

3. Bake 30 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Reduce temperature to 350°; bake until cauliflower is tender, about 40 minutes. (If browning too quickly, tent with foil.) Transfer to a wire rack; let cool 10 minutes before serving.

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=recipe4760098&page=&dp=false&layout=Print&styleType=learn

 
Barb, I think I'd go with orzo as a first choice, small pastini second choice. Let us know how

the gratin turns out.

 
Hi barb...

Happy Thanksgiving to you! I looked at the recipe and since it is being baked, I would use orzo. It is the closest in size to Israeli couscous. I think the regular couscous would become overcooked and gummy. I googled a bit and read that orzo can be used as a sub. The difference is that the fregola Sarda is roasted so it has a nutty flavor. Depending on your schedle, you might want to dry-pan roast the orzo a little bit. This sounds really good, please be sure to let us know how you liked it. Have a great day, barb!

 
Happy tday to you Pat!

I hope you are having a great day with your family. I did so much prep work yesterday and last night, that today seems like a breeze compared to tdays past. Cheers!

 
Dawn and Pat, Thanks so much for your quick response. Orzo it is! I am going to

cook it prior to adding to the Endive/Cauliflower. Thanks again!

Enjoy your thanksgiving!

Regards,
Barb

 
Hi Dawn,

I'm feeling a little ahead of the game too, feels good for a change. ;o) Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

 
Back
Top