Broccoli Romanesco Food

ROMANESCO BROCCOLI AND RIGATONI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving a couple of ladlefuls of the pasta cooking water.
• While the pasta is working, in a large, heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the wine for 1 minute, then the chicken stock. Add the broccoli, lemon peel, rosemary and crushed red pepper; season with salt and black pepper. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
• In a serving bowl, toss the pasta, reserved pasta cooking water, cooked vegetables, cheese and nuts for a minute. Season with salt and black pepper and serve, passing extra cheese at the table.

ROAST ROMANESCO WITH ANCHOVIES, CAPERS & CURRANTS

Steps:

• Put the currants in a small bowl and cover with boiled water. Leave to soak for 1 hr. Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5.
• Arrange the romanesco in a roasting tin in a single layer. Add 2 tbsp of the oil, season and toss to combine. Roast for 20 mins until tender (keep an eye on it as it cooks more quickly than cauliflower), tossing halfway through to make sure it's evenly coloured.
• Meanwhile, cook the shallots in the remaining oil over a medium heat for about 10 mins until golden. Reduce the heat and add the garlic, chilli flakes and anchovies and cook for 2 mins more. Gently press the anchovies with the back of a wooden spoon to help them dissolve. Drain the currants and add to the pan along with the capers, nuts, herbs and lemon juice. Toss with the roasted romanesco and transfer to a serving plate.

PASTA WITH ROASTED ROMANESCO AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Cook almonds, 1/4 cup oil, and 1 Tbsp. capers in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, swirling pan occasionally, until capers burst and almonds are golden brown and smell toasty, about 5 minutes. Transfer almonds and capers with a slotted spoon to a small bowl; season with salt. Let cool. Toss romanesco with oil from saucepan on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Roast, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and tender, 20-25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 Tbsp. oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high. Add garlic, 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, and remaining 1 Tbsp. capers and cook, stirring often, until garlic is golden, about 3 minutes. Add wine and cook until liquid is almost completely evaporated, about 2 minutes.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 3 minutes less than package directions.
• Using a spider or a slotted spoon, transfer pasta to pot with garlic; add 1 cup pasta cooking liquid. Reduce heat to medium and cook, tossing often, until pasta is al dente and liquid is slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, then gradually add cheese, tossing until melted and dissolved into a luxurious, glossy sauce. Remove from heat; add butter and toss to combine. Toss in romanesco.
• Divide pasta among bowls. Top with fried almonds and capers and more red pepper flakes and drizzle with oil.

BAKED ROMANESCO BROCCOLI WITH MOZZARELLA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Put a large pot of well-salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Cut broccoli into quarters and trim away the core and any tough bits. Chop quarters into rough 2-inch cubes. Transfer to boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water.
• Lightly oil an earthenware baking dish. Arrange blanched broccoli in one layer. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Tear mozzarella slices and scatter over the top, then sprinkle with pecorino. Arrange olives here and there. In a small bowl, stir together capers, anchovy, garlic, red pepper and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Drizzle mixture evenly over the top.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, until cheese has browned a bit and broccoli is tender when pierced with a fork. Let rest 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with a good pinch of dried oregano.