Sicilian Broccoli And Ditalini 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.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Put the chickpeas in a bowl and drizzle with a bit of olive oil.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and then drop in the broccoli and cook until tender but not too soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and refresh in cold water to set the color. Drain and set aside. If using broccoli rabe, chop coarsely. Then drop the orecchiette into the same boiling salted water.
• While the pasta cooks, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion, if using, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, if using, and chickpeas and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, if using, and broccoli and cook until hot. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Drain the pasta when it is al dente and add it to the broccoli sauce, along with the toasted bread crumbs, if using. Warm through. Transfer to a warmed bowl and sprinkle with pecorino, if desired.
• Toasted Bread Crumbs: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a food processor, pulse 2 cups diced country-style bread, crusts removed, until you have coarse crumbs. Toss the crumbs in a bowl with 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, or olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Spread the crumbs on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 20 minutes. The crumbs can be stored in the pantry in a covered container for up to a month.

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.

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

Steps:

• Fill medium saucepan half full of water and cover and bring to boil on high for the broccoli.
• Stir broccoli into the boiling water and boil 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until desired tenderness; drain broccoli thoroughly.
• Return saucepan to the stove; reduce heat to medium-high.
• Place olive oil in pan and swirl to coat.
• Add onions and garlic and cook 2-3 minutes to brown.
• Stir in broccoli until coated with oil.
• Cook 3-4 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors are well blended.
• Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle the cheese over the broccoli and serve.