Sicilian Pasta And Broccoli Recipes

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.

FUSILLI WITH GARLICKY BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add salt and then add the pasta. Cook according to the package directions. After 6 minutes, add the broccoli to the pot with the pasta. Once the pasta is al dente, reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over very low heat. Add the garlic and saute just until it begins to sizzle (do not let it brown). Turn the garlic and continue to cook, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the paprika and season with salt and pepper; stir to arrest the browning. If the garlic appears to be coloring, stir it sooner. Continue to cook until the smaller pieces of garlic become golden.
• Add the pasta and broccoli to the garlic oil. Toss together until combined. Add the butter and stir to melt. Add the cheese and stir again. Moisten the pasta, if necessary, with the reserved pasta water. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with cheese and serve immediately.

BROCCOLI SICILIANO

Steps:

• Boil pasta in salted water to cover about 5 minutes and add the broccoli for the last couple minutes(I like my broccoli in this dish cooked until almost mushy).
• Add pasta and cook until al dente.
• Drain off about TWO THIRDS of the water (Keep the rest, about 1/2-1 cup, since this makes the sauce. I recommend using the first 1/2 and see if it's the desired consistency, and if more liquid is needed, add the other half cup).
• Add mushrooms, tomatoes, and parmesan, oregano, butter, salt and pepper.
• Cook 2 to 3 minutes until blended.
• Makes 6 side dish servings.
• Note: you can double this recipe.

SICILIAN-STYLE BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Cut thick, lower stems off broccoli rabe and peel. Reserve florets and leaves.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes; saute until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add stems; saute until coated with oil, about 45 seconds. Pour in water; continue cooking until stems are mostly tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in florets, leaves, and salt. Cover skillet and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer broccoli rabe and its juices to a serving bowl. Top with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.

SICILIAN BROCCOLI AND DITALINI

Steps:

• Place in a dutch oven or a large deep frying pan:.
• Chopped onion and garlic and saute in the olive oil for approximately 10 minutes but do NOT brown. (just a slightly golden color will be good).
• Clean and trim broccoli and cut into 2" pieces.
• Add cut broccoli to garlic and onion.
• turn down flame and add 6 cups very hot water and bullion cubes, & salt & pepper.
• Simmer until broccoili is still slightly crunchy and add pasta.
• Add more water if needed while pasta is cooking with the broccoli as it can absorb alot of the water.
• cook until pasta and broccoli are both tender and most of the water is absorbed.
• turn off the heat and sprinkle a small amount of extra virgin olive oil and approximatly 1/2 cup parmegiano cheese. Toss and serve.
• You can garnish with lemon if you like.

PASTA WITH PINE NUTS, BROCCOLI, SARDINES & FENNEL

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of water to the boil, with a splash of oil, then add the pasta. Cook following pack instructions, adding the broccoli for the final 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, gently heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onions and sliced garlic, and cook slowly for 2 mins. Add the fennel and cook for a couple more mins, until softened. Flake the sardines into the pan and stir around for a few more mins to break them up.
• Tip the pasta and broccoli into the pan with the pine nuts, raisins and lemon juice. Toss together to let the pasta absorb the oil, season well and serve immediately, scattered with lemon zest and chilli flakes.