Greetings!

It has certainly been a minute since my last post. The transition from summer to fall is always a challenge…with school starting and the beginning of new routines…it always takes a second to reset and get back on track. Needless to say, this year has proven to be a bit more challenging than usual!

Just as new daily routines begin, so do new food routines. The change of season is always exciting as you look forward to new food options. As I anticipate my menus of stews, roasts, chilis, hearty pastas and soups, I fondly bid adieu to zucchini (does it ever really go away??), eggplant, and garden fresh tomato and cucumber salads.

One dish that never changes, no matter the season, is pasta with broccoli.

It is quick and easy and a good way to sneak those greens in!

Begin with a large pot of boiling water. Add about a pound of broccoli florets that have been rinsed and trimmed.

Blanche the florets in the boiling water for about 2 minutes and remove from the water with a strainer. Allow to drain. Keep the pot on the burner as you will use this same water to cook your pasta.

In a large pan, saute 2 cloves of garlic in 5Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.

When the garlic becomes fragrant (not burned) add the broccoli florets and stir well. (Make sure that the florets are very well drained because hot oil + water = a whole lot of mess on your stove top!) Season with salt and pepper.

Turn heat to medium low and add either one anchovy fillet or a small squirt of anchovy paste to the florets. Smash and break up the anchovy fillet well until it melts into the broccoli. Otherwise, mix the paste until it dissolves completely. (Not an anchovy lover here, but in this dish it is excellent and a little goes a very long way…also it is completely optional). This only needs to cook about 5 minutes. Turn the heat off.

In the pot of boiling water add 1 lb pasta. Orecchiette are great! Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta, conserving about a cup of cooking water. Add the pasta directly to the pan with the broccoli. Mix well. Add cooking water as needed to thin out the sauce and also add a good helping of grated cheese…Parmigiano or Pecorino and mix into the pasta until creamy.

Serve immediately and obviously with more cheese!

Buon Appetito!!!