Monday, March 2, 2009

Broccoli Rabe

Thanks to everyone for their broccoli rabe/raab/rapini suggestions! I will try the simple saute with it next time, but I was worried a bit by its bitter smell so I chickened out. Here's what I came up with instead...



Pasta w/Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
Serves 2



5oz orecchiette (if you want to make your own, check this recipe out!)
1 bunch of broccoli rabe, tough ends removed, then cut into ~1" pieces
1/2lb sweet italian chicken sausage
2 cloves garlic, pressed
a few shakes of red pepper flakes
5 sundried tomato halves, revived in some boiling water and diced

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Salt, then add pasta. Towards the last few minutes of cooking, add the broccoli rabe. When pasta is al dente, drain pasta and rabe.

While water is coming to a boil and pasta cooking, saute sausage. Once starting to brown, add garlic, red pepper flakes and sundried tomatoes. (I wait to add the garlic until the end b/c it always cooks so fast, this way it doesn't burn) Cook a few minutes, then turn off the heat.

When sausage mix and pasta/broccoli rabe is done, combine and toss. Separate into serving dishes (or tupperware). I finished it off with a drizzle of lemon EVOO and some freshly grated parmesan.

My thoughts? Very yummy, and I didn't really notice the bitterness I smelled when it was raw. The broccoli rabe sure beefs up the size of this dish!! The sausage is completely optional, and you could also saute the broccoli rabe before tossing it with the cooked pasta.

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28 comments:

  1. I ADORE broccoli rabe - but yes, the bitterness does take some getting used to. This is why I sauté it lots loads of garlic :-)

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  2. another great recipe! it's cold and windy here, I want that plate of yummy pasta! :D

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  3. Classic combo. Looks great.

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  4. Dinner looks great!
    Thanks for the link; you're entered in the contest x2!

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  5. I love the addition of sausage for a heartier dish! Plus I love orecchiette. Good choice!

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  6. i love broccoli rabe, too, although i agree it can be bitter. i usually boil it separately so that the bitterness doesn't infuse into anything else. soaking it in a little salt (which i also do with eggplant) also helps a lot!!

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  7. very good use of the broccoli rabe! that looks like a delicious meal! and orcchiette is so fun to eat :)

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  8. Looks great! I love the light pastas! I haven't ever tried broccoli rabe, I am looking for it this weekend

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  9. Thanks for all the info on giveaways! And I've been too scared to try broccolo rabe but maybe I'll give it a shot now- your pasta dish with it sounds good!

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  10. omg that looks fabulous!

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  11. Broccoli rabe is a tricky vegetable, but this sure looks delicious!

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  12. This looks really good! You can't go wrong with pasta! I have had problems with it being bitter to the point of inedible.

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  13. I am sold on the sausage part. Have to try some broccoli rabe now!

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  14. Great recipe with broccoli rabe! Sounds yummy with pasta.

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  15. haha - I guess I wasn't the only one to suggest sauteed rabe. Well, this looks delicious! Hope I can make it v. soon.

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  16. I'm so glad you liked it! Broccoli rabe and sausage pasta is one of my favorite combos and the sundried tomatoes are a great add-in!

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  17. Never have had broccoli rabe! Looks yummy!

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  18. Love rabe! What a nice meal you had!

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  19. shredded is totally a word- but you have to add "bro" at the end, to make it gramatically correct

    Kelly Turner
    www.everygymsnightmare.com

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  20. I love sweet Italian chicken sausage, although actually I usually get turkey sausage. Kinda the same. :)

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  21. Sounds delish, but I think the sausage should be mandatory. :)

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  22. damn it IS the season huh?

    (and I love the rabe!)

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  23. I love love love broccoli.
    that loooks so good!

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  24. Hi! I wanted to pass on a blog award to you. You can check it out on my blog. Cheers!
    N.

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  25. Broccoli rabe is one of my absolute favorites, but I haven't seen it at the grocery store lately. Your preparation looks delicious.

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  26. This is a nice and simple and really tasty pasta!

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