Fusilli With Broccoli And Anchovies Food

FUSILLI WITH BROCCOLI AND ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Cut broccoli crowns from stems, leaving about 1 inch of stem at the base of each crown; set aside thick stems for another purpose.
• Salt boiling water generously and add broccoli. Boil 5 to 6 minutes, until tender enough to break apart with a fork.
• Using a skimmer, tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer broccoli crowns to a bowl of cold water (do not drain water from pot). Drain broccoli, then blot on paper towels. Chop fine.
• Bring water in pot back to a boil and add fusilli.
• While fusilli is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet and add garlic, anchovies and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook, stirring and mashing anchovies with the back of a wooden spoon, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chopped broccoli.
• Add a ladle or two (about 1/2 cup) of the pasta water to the broccoli, season to taste with salt and pepper and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes. Broccoli should be very soft. Remove another ladle of pasta water and set aside.
• Drain pasta and toss at once with broccoli and remaining olive oil. Add water you set aside if you think it needs more moisture. Serve at once, sprinkled with cheese.

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.