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Bacon & Asparagus Faux-sotto {Risotto} | OXO GoodGrips Spiralizer

Bacon & Asparagus “Risotto”! This may be “faux-sotto”, but the flavor is REAL in this vegetable risotto — made with spiralized summer squash and a creamy caulflower cheese sauce, this dish is loaded with veggies and springtime flavors that will keep you coming back for more. 
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4 servings
Author: The Kitchen Prep

Ingredients

  • 1 large {or 2 small} summer squash
  • 2 slices bacon diced
  • ¼ cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 ½ cups asparagus cut into bite sized pieces
  • ¼ cup white wine {or broth if you prefer}
  • 1 ½ cups riced cauliflower {or just cauliflower florets}
  • About ½ cup almond milk {or regular milk or chicken broth your choice}, divided
  • 1 small garlic clove smashed
  • 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup shaved Parmesan
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Spiralize your summer squash according to directions. You'll want the thinner "spaghetti" noodles. Once the squash is spiralized, place the "noodles" on a cutting board and, using a large knife, chop it into "rice". {I tried this by pulsing in the food processor but it came out a little too mushy every time. It only takes a minute or two to chop it by hand.} Set aside until ready to use.
  • Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook the diced bacon until it is browned and crisp, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper-towel lined plate to drain. Set aside.
  • Toss the chopped onion and asparagus pieces into the rendered bacon fat and saute until the onions are soft and translucent and the asparagus is tender. When the pan starts to become dry, pour in about ¼ cup white wine or broth, scraping up the brown bits. Cook until the liquid is almost evaporated.
  • While the veggies are cooking, cook cauliflower. I used frozen riced cauliflower with ¼ cup of almond milk added to the bowl and heated it in the microwave for about 4 minutes, but you can also just simmer fresh cauliflower florets and almond milk in a saucepan until it's fork-tender. Basically, you just want soft cauliflower, it doesn't matter how it gets that way.
  • Pour the cauliflower and ¼ cup of almond milk, smashed garlic clove, olive oil and a pinch of salt into a high speed blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth. You may need to add up to ¼ cup or so of almond milk while it runs to make sure the mixture is smooth and creamy; add a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
  • Pour the cauliflower sauce into the skillet with the onion and asparagus and toss to coat. Fold in the "riced" squash, coating it completely with the sauce.
  • Sprinkle in the bacon and cheese and fold until completely incorporated. Serve hot.