Thursday, 4 October 2012

Recipe: Braised Broccoli Rabe with penne


Keys hung up, briefcase down. Jacket off, apron on. With black stiletto’s on and a glass of wine in hand, I stand in my kitchen  looking through my vegetarian cook book. It can be said that a food preference is the same as a sexual preference  - it’s either one or the other, or in some cases both. You either like meat or you only eat veg; or you eat both. The same can be said about your sexual nature – you are either gay, lesbian or hetro-sexual... or sometimes you enjoy a little bit of both.


Ingredients

  • 1 pound broccoli rabe, tough stems trimmed (here, we don’t enjoy a hard shaft)
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil (we like the virgins in this case)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 5 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth (broth or stock is like a drinkable Viagra – it enhances the experience)
  • A packet of whole-wheat pasta, such as penne
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground pepper , to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (nuts are better when warmed up)

Method

1.        Cook the broccoli rabe in a steamer until bright green and crisp.  Let the broccoli sweat and lubricate itself with its own moisture. Drain and refresh under cold running water. Chop coarsely.

2.       Combine oil, garlic, rosemary and crushed red pepper in a large pot; cook by stirring, over medium heat, until fragrant. Add broth and bring to a boil. Add pasta. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add the broccolli. Season with salt and pepper.

3.       Serve in bowls, sprinkle with walnuts. Enjoy the veg-way for dinner, as you’ll be enjoying the sausage later.

 

 

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