Broccoli With Sun Dried Tomatoes And Pine Nuts Food

PESTO PASTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND BROCCOLI

Steps:

• PASTA: Put broccoli in a microwave safe bowl with two tablespoons of water, cover loosely with plastic wrap and microwave until tender, about 4 minutes. Stir once half way through cooking time. Remove, drain and set aside.
• Boil pasta in plenty of salted water until al dente. Reserve one cup cooking water, drain pasta and set aside. Return pasta to cooking pot and stir in sun-dried tomatoes, pesto sauce and broccoli. Add warm pasta cooking water and stir just until sauce is evenly distributed (you may not use all the water). Serve immediately.
• PESTO: Pulse garlic, pine nuts and manchego cheese until coarsely chopped, about the size of peas. Add basil leaves and pulse briefly to combine. With food processor running, add oil gradually in a thin stream to make a smooth paste. Add salt to taste.

BROCCOLI WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Separate the broccoli into florets.
• Peel and slice the stems thinly.
• Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil.
• Add the broccoli and blanch for about 2 minutes.
• Drain the broccoli and rinse with cold water, set aside.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
• Add the red onion and saute for 5 minutes.
• Dice the sun dried tomatoes and add to the onion.
• Add the broth and bring to a boil.
• Lower the heat, cover and steam for 2 minutes.
• Add the lemon juice to the tomato mixture.
• Add the broccoli and stir well.
• Place the broccoli in a serving bowl, top with toasted pine nuts.

PASTA WITH CHICKEN, BROCCOLI, AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil, covered, in stockpot.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add chicken in single layer; cook for 1 minute without stirring, then stir chicken and continue to cook until most, but not all, of pink color has disappeared and chicken is lightly browned around the edges, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to clean bowl; set aside.
• Return skillet to high heat and add 1 tablespoon butter; add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned about edges, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme, and flour; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add wine and chicken broth; bring to simmer, then reduce heat to medium and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened slightly and reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 15 minutes.
• While sauce simmers, add 1 tablespoon salt and broccoli to boiling water; cook until broccoli is tender but still crisp at center, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer broccoli to large paper towel-lined plate. Return water to boil; stir in pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water; return pasta to pot.
• Stir remaining 2 tablespoons butter, Asiago, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, and chicken into sauce in skillet; cook until chicken is hot and cooked through, about 1 minute. Off heat, season to taste with pepper. Pour chicken/sauce mixture over pasta and add broccoli; toss gently to combine, adding pasta cooking water as needed to adjust sauce consistency. Serve immediately, passing additional Asiago and the lemon wedges (if using) separately.