Pasta Broccolini Salad Recipes

PASTA SALAD WITH RICOTTA SALATA AND BROCCOLINI

Steps:

• Trim and discard the bottom 1/2-inch from the broccolini. Then cut the broccolini into 1-inch pieces. Steam broccolini covered in small skillet in 1/2 inch boiling water for 3 minutes, cold shock, and drain. Combine broccolini and pasta in a bowl.
• Return pan to stove over low heat and saute shallots and garlic in oil 2 minutes. Pour warm oil over pasta and broccolini. Crumble ricotta salata over pasta. Sprinkle the pasta with thyme, salt, and pepper, and toss to combine. Adjust seasonings and garnish salad with halved grape tomatoes.

PASTA-BROCCOLINI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Heat up a large pot of salted water to boiling. Place the broccolini stems in the boiling water. Return to boil and cook for 2-3 minutes, just until the stems are crisp-tender.
• Drain the broccolini and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process. Drain well again.
• In a large serving bowl combine the broccolini with the cooked pasta. Gently stir in the chickpeas and *walnut pieces.
• Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small non-reactive bowl.
• Pour dressing over the broccoli-pasta mixture. Toss gently to coat.
• Squeeze the lemon juice over the salad and serve or cover and chill.
• *NOTE: If you choose to serve the salad cold, stir in the walnuts just before serving.

SICILIAN PASTA AND BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Heat the water for your pasta while you prepare the broccoli.
• In a shallow, 10-inch saute pot, heat the 1 cup olive oil over medium-high heat (see Cook's Note). Add the broccoli to the oil and season it with salt. Saute the broccoli for about 4 minutes, or until it takes on a toasty color. The broccoli will absorb a lot of the oil, so if you find your pot getting dry, just add a little more oil to it. Throw in the garlic and cook for about another minute, until it's slightly brown. Don't burn the garlic! Take the broccoli off the heat and set it aside.
• Prepare the penne according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and toss it in the pot with the broccoli, garlic, and olive oil. If the mixture seems dry, add a little more oil.
• Toss in the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, stir, and garnish with the parsley.