Penne With Broccoli Rabe Walnuts And Pecorino Food

PENNE WITH SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, 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 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink, reserving 1/2 cup of the water.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the sausage pieces, garlic, and red pepper flakes in the hot pan until the sausage is no longer pink on the outside, about 4 minutes. Stir in the broccoli rabe and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Pour in the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta boiling water. Cover, and cook until the sausage is no longer pink in the center and the broccoli rabe is tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Stir the cooked pasta, broccoli rabe, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese together until evenly mixed. Season to taste with salt and pepper to serve.

PENNE WITH BROCCOLI RABE, WALNUTS, AND PECORINO

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks and sauté until golden and soft, about 5 minutes. Add broccoli rabe and sauté, tossing with tongs, until slightly softened and bright green, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir 1 minute. Stir in broth, crme frache, and lemon peel, then 1/3 cup cheese.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot. Stir in broccoli rabe mixture and walnuts, adding 1/2 cup cooking liquid to moisten and adding more by tablespoonfuls if needed. Divide pasta among bowls. Serve, passing remaining cheese separately.
• *An Italian leafy green vegetable with scattered clusters of tiny, broccoli-like florets; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

PENNE WITH BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Cook penne in abundant boiling, salted water. While it is cooking, prepare broccoli rape.
• Cut off thick stems from the broccoli rape and discard them. Cut remaining stalks and leaves into one-inch pieces.
• Heat oil in large skillet and saute the garlic until golden. Add broccoli rape with capers and saute until leaves are wilted and stalks are tender (about five minutes). Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• When the penne is al dente, drain and place in a heated serving bowl. Add broccoli rape and extra-virgin olive oil. Toss and serve, passing the Parmesan cheese separately.

PASTA WITH PANCETTA, BROCCOLI OR BROCCOLI RABE AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until golden brown, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes.
• Discard garlic. Add onion, pancetta and fennel seeds to skillet; sauté until onion is tender and pancetta begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Add crushed red pepper (if using), then broccoli stems and cook 4 minutes to soften slightly, stirring occasionally. Stir in broccoli tops, sprinkle with salt, and add 1 cup water. Cover and cook until stems and tops are tender, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
• Add pasta to skillet with broccoli and stir over low heat to combine, adding reserved cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls to moisten if necessary. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1 cup cheese. Season to taste wtih salt and a generous amount of pepper.
• Transfer to large shallow bowl. Sprinkle with pine nuts and serve, passing additional grated cheese separately.