SAVORY NOODLE KUGEL WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND CAULIFLOWER Recipe

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish (or shallow casserole dish of similar size) with 1 tablespoon of the butter; set aside.

Melt 3 more tablespoons butter with the oil over high heat in a 12-inch nonstick skillet. Add the onions and ½ teaspoon salt; cook until the onions begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook the onions, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and sweet, about 25 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot (with a perforated pasta insert, if available) over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the cauliflower; cook until the cauliflower is mostly tender but still slightly crunchy at the core, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to a paper towel–lined baking sheet using a slotted spoon (or by lifting out the pasta insert, if using).

Return the water to a boil and add the noodles; cook until almost tender but still firm to the bite, about 6 minutes. Drain the noodles, transfer them to a large bowl, and toss with 2 more tablespoons butter. Allow the noodles to cool to room temperature.

Add the onions, cauliflower, and eggs to the cooled noodles; toss to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Pour the chicken broth evenly over the noodles and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake until the kugel is warm, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the noodles on the surface are golden and the center is hot, about 20 minutes longer. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.