delicious, earthy and light!

No matter how much one tries to moderate one's food intake during the holiday season, one cannot help but eat just a bit more than one would want. I think this applies to most of us and it certainly applies to me! Comes January, even if losing a few pounds is not on my New Year's resolution list, I still crave lighter fares. For me, one way to achieve this, aside from eating lots of veggies, which I do anyway, is to make a main dish that will satisfy my appetite and will also be nutritious. This way I can just eat one thing!

Winter greens are a perfect candidate for such a dish, and for today's recipe my vegetable of choice is broccoli rabe (or raab) also known as rapini in Italy. A member of the Brassica family, it is a close relative of the turnip. It is packed with vitamins and minerals and has an earthy and slightly bitter taste. Although very popular in Italy and Asia, in my opinion it still hasn't made its mark in the US.

Unlike its famous cousin, the broccoli, where only the florets are eaten, the stems, leaves and tiny florets of the broccoli rabe are consumed and blanching it will take some of the bitterness away. Sautéed in olive oil, lots of garlic and a little chili pepper flakes this unusual winter green becomes truly scrumptious: a perfect vegetable for an earthy and light pasta dish!

Ziti with Broccoli Rabe, Fresh Goat Cheese and Lemon Oil
serves 4 to 6


sea salt for the blanching water (about 1 tablespoon)
1 large bunch broccoli rabe — stems trimmed
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried, red chili pepper flakes to taste
8 large garlic cloves — skinned and thinly sliced
12 oz ziti ( preferably De Cecco or other Italian brand)
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste

6 oz fresh goat cheese or fresh ricotta as garnish
lemon infused oil for drizzling

Step 1: Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large soup pot. Fill a large bowl with cold water and several ice cubes.

Step 2: When the water is boiling, add the salt and half the broccoli rabe. With the back of a spoon, push the broccoli down so that all the leaves are submerged in the boiling water. Blanch for 1 1/2 minutes. The leaves should turn bright green. Drain and transfer to the iced water bath. Repeat the process with the balance of the broccoli rabe. Save blanching water to cook the pasta.

Step 3: When the broccoli rabe is totally cooled (about 15 seconds), drain and squeeze all extra liquid out. Lay out on paper towels to drain further. Then chop in 1" pieces and transfer to a bowl until ready to use.

Step 4: Re-heat blanching water until boiling and add pasta. Cook pasta until tender but still al dente. Drain and shake off the excess water.

Step 5: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a very large heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic. Sauté for 15 seconds until the garlic begins to sizzle. Immediately remove from heat and set aside until pasta is ready. (The garlic will continue to cook slowly in the pan and become translucent).

Step 6: When the pasta is draining, reheat the garlic oil. As soon as it sizzles, add the broccoli rabe and toss well to coat with the oil. Sauté for 1 minute until heated through. Add the pasta, reserved water, salt and ground pepper to taste. Toss well and remove from heat.

Step 7: Spoon pasta in bowls. Garnish with a little crumbled goat cheese or ricotta, drizzle with lemon oil, finish with a little freshly ground black pepper to taste and serve immediately.


© 2008 viviane bauquet farre — food & style NY LLC

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