Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Pasta with Broccoli Rabe and Fried Chic Peas


We picked up some broccoli rabe today and I had planned on making a dish I make often, Pasta with Broccoli Rabe. It's quick, easy, and delicious. Sometimes I change it up and add sausage, like in this dish, Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe.

I was looking for something a little different, so decided on this recipe for Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Fried Chic Peas. I made a few changes, noted in italics below.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound orecchiette pasta (little ear-shaped pasta) or penne (I couldn't find orecchiette, so I used medium shells, about 10 oz)
  • 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 15 1/2-ounce cans garbanzo beans (chickpeas), well drained (I only used 1 can and it was more than enough)
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh sage (I didn't have sage, and wanted something bolder, so used 6 cloves sliced garlic instead of the 4 listed above)
  • 1 1-pound bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2/3 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup (packed) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
  • Added: 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Directions

  • Cook orecchiette in large pot of boiling salted water until pasta is tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter with olive oil in another large pot over high heat.
  • Add garlic and stir 30 seconds.
  • Add garbanzo beans and sauté until garbanzo beans are beginning to color, about 8 minutes.
  • Add half of sliced fresh sage and sauté 1 minute to blend flavors. This is when I added the red pepper flakes.
  • Add broccoli rabe, wine, and 1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid to pot. Cover and simmer until broccoli rabe is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Uncover and add pasta, remaining sage, and Parmesan cheese; toss to combine.
  • Mix in more of reserved cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if pasta is dry.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer to large bowl and serve.

I enjoyed this. Jon was a bit freaked out by the texture of the chic peas, but I liked that they added a bit of protein to this vegetarian meal.





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3 comments:

  1. I've never had Broccoli Rabe before but this pasta dish looks fantastic! I need new Vegetarian dishes for Lent, so this is great! Thanks, I look forward to trying it!

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  2. This pasta sounds nice and healthy and good!

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