'Faux 'Fredo

The number one food that I get asked to recreate, is Fettuccine Alfredo. But, I am not a fan of Alfredo sauce, so it's something I've continued to put on the back burner. Then one day, I was watching The Chew, and Daphne Oz made a healthy alfredo! Boiling cauliflower in milk sounded disgusting to me, but I tried it, and while it needed a few tweaks for my taste, it turned out quite good!

Ingredients:

1 pound Fettuccine noodles

4 cups cauliflower, cut into large chunks (about 1 large head)

1 cup of milk

2 Tablespoons butter

1 large shallot, minced

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Olive oil

Salt and Pepper

Place the milk, and cauliflower in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook cauliflower until it's fork tender (10 minutes). With a slotted spoon, transfer cooked cauliflower to blender, then add the milk back in. Carefully blend, to make a creamy sauce. Add butter, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue to blend until completely smooth. (or leave it chunky if you'd like).

Cook fettuccine according to package instructions minus one minute.

In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil and sauté the shallot and garlic for 2-3 minutes. Add wine to deglaze the pan and reduce by half. Stir in the cauliflower puree adding starchy pasta water as needed. Add the noodles, Stir in the parmesan cheese, toss and serve! 

No one will believe it's healthy!

As a side note: the first time I made this I used almond milk, as I do not drink cow's milk. It turned out fine, perhaps a little sweet. The second time I made it- I used regular milk- I have to say it was creamier and tastier (of course I'd refined the recipe as well). None the less, you should be able to use just about any milk substitute.

Also- add some color by stirring in some frozen peas at the last minute (before you add the cauliflower puree, I'd guess). Or maybe some steamed broccoli when you toss the noodles! Yum!