Italian Infused Broccoli Food

ITALIAN STYLE BROCCOLI AND GARLIC SIDE DISH

Steps:

• Clean and cut fresh broccoli into medium size heads (shave off the sides to the stalks and chop them small if you want to use everything)
• Heat 2-3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a medium frying pan over low heat
• Crush the garlic and chop fine or in thin slices and add to the olive oil
• Simmer the garlic for a few minutes until fragrant (about 2-3 minutes)
• Add in the broccoli pieces and cover with lid to trap any steam.
• Add a little bit of water to promote steam and let cook about 5 to 10 minutes or until the broccoli is bright green and is still firm. You don't want overcooked broccoli!
• When done remove from heat and set aside until ready to serve.
• Top with grated Italian Romano cheese for additional flavor if preferred.

ITALIAN-STYLE BROCCOLI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion in oil for 2-3 minutes or until onion is tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender.

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.

ITALIAN BROCCOLI SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse the sliced shallot under cold water and transfer to a large bowl.
• Cut the stalks away from the broccoli heads. Using a knife or vegetable peeler, remove the fibrous outer layer of the stalks so its light green insides emerge; compost or discard the outer layer. Thinly slice the stalks crosswise, then thinly slice the heads into bite-size pieces. (A mix of shapes and sizes adds texture to the salad, so chop up the broccoli a few ways; there's no one right way to go about it.) Transfer to the large bowl as you go, then transfer any loose bits from the cutting board to the bowl.
• Season the broccoli generously with salt and pepper, then add the almonds, pickled peppers, olives, oil, vinegar and provolone. Toss vigorously with a spoon until everything is combined and the broccoli is shiny with oil.
• Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, oil and vinegar as needed. Let sit at least 10 minutes before serving. The salad improves with age as its flavors meld, and it can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Before serving, bring to room temperature and adjust salt, pepper, oil and vinegar to taste, as flavors change in the fridge.

GARLIC OIL SAUTEED PASTA WITH BROCCOLI

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil, garlic, and pepper flakes over medium heat until fragrant. Once the garlic has turned golden in color, remove it from the pan. You are left with garlic-infused oil in the pan. Add the broccoli to the pan.
• Cook's Note: Be sure the broccoli is completely dry before tossing it into the pan.
• Toss the broccoli to coat with the oil. Season with salt and pepper and saute over medium heat until the broccoli barely loses some of its crunch, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat up to high and deglaze the pan with the red wine vinegar. Add a few tablespoons of water, if needed.
• Cook's Note: Use pasta water if the pasta was made fresh.
• Add in the pasta and toss to coat with the oil. Top with Parmesan cheese for serving.

ITALIAN INFUSED BROCCOLI

Steps:

• In base of steamer, add lemon juice, garlic, and basil leaves.
• Put the middle piece on top and put broccoli on it.
• Put lid on steamer.
• Microwave on high for 1 minute. Let it stand for 1 minute. Check for color and tenderness. (if still too raw, microwave for another 30 seconds).

BROCCOLI FLORETS WITH MEYER LEMON OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Fill a large pot halfway with water. Cover and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Salt the water and add the broccoli. Boil until the broccoli is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
• Drain, transfer the broccoli florets to a large bowl, and toss with the oil to coat. Season the broccoli florets with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

FUSILLI WITH RAPINI (BROCCOLI RABE), GARLIC, AND TOMATO WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the broccoli rabe, sprinkle in some salt, and bring the salted water to a boil. Stir in the broccoli rabe, and cook until bright green and just starting to become tender, about 2 minutes; drain the rabe, and cool in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain well, and pat dry with paper towels.
• Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the fusilli, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, and cook and stir the 2 roughly-chopped garlic cloves until they start to turn translucent, about 2 minutes; sprinkle with salt and black pepper, and stir in rosemary sprig, dried Italian herb mix, and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Stir in the blanched rabe, white wine, and tomatoes; remove rosemary sprig, and bring the mixture to a boil. Mix in the cooked fusilli pasta, green onions, and 1 minced clove of garlic; simmer for 1 more minute, and serve topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.