Wishing everyone a wonderful Monday! This is my first post of the day…I will be back later with a little update on the “Impossibilities” Challenge. I just didn’t want to miss Meatless Monday. I have a recipe today that was made by my Grandma…then by my Mom and now by me. It has gone through some changes along the way but it is still one of my favorite meals accompanied by a nice salad and a warm crusty piece of Italian bread and yes…a bit of wine makes it perfect!
What I have done different is I have lightened it up a bit with the addition of fresh lemon juice…white wine and a bit of pasta water. So the dish is not relying on olive oil and garlic as it’s only base. My whole family enjoys the dish so much more this way and may I add…it has been so much kinder to their tummies (including mine) with the changes. I sure hope you give it a try and like I say in so many of my recipes…if you want to change things a bit…just go for it…you know what you and your family enjoys!
Cavatelli & Broccoli
(an Italian love story)
Like with any recipe…your ingredients are important so let’s start with some fresh Broccoli…
Then if at all possible…some fresh Cavatelli
If you are in the New Jersey area…I get this scrumptious…light and oh so delicious pasta from a little Pasta Shop called
Nonna Marias Pasta so if you are in the area…drop by it is heavenly…it is filled with every fresh pasta imaginable and it incredible! I am sure if you look…there is fresh pasta near by! So many grocery stores are now carrying it. But whatever pasta you use…shells…pene…geminelli …etc…you are going to love it!
So let’s make some Pasta…
Recipe:
3 large Heads of Fresh Broccoli
If you are using frozen you will need 2 1lb bags
1/3 cup of good olive oil (does not have to be virgin)
Now here is where we may differ…I use 12-15 large cloves of finely hand minced garlic…I smash it with the flat of my knife and then proceed to mince…add a little bit of sea salt to the mix and it and it minces even better…This is where you have to make an adjustment. We use garlic in just about everything that we eat so we like a lot…I would say at least 5 cloves and then you can go from there : )
1 nice bunch of fresh scallions thinly sliced you can use greens and whites…no waste!
1 LB cavatelli (fresh or dry)
(if serving a large group you can add up to an additional 1/2 a pound of pasta to this recipe)
the juice of a half of fresh lemon
1/3 – 1/2 cup of a nice white wine
1/2 cup of pasta water (more or less)
salt and pepper to taste
crushed red pepper served on the table with a nice grated cheese…we love Pecorino Romano…I am sure your family has their favorite!
Time to cook…
Have a nice large pot of salted water on the stove heating up to a boil while you are preparing the oil mixture.
Add the oil to the skillet and place over a medium heat. Now add your garlic and saute till golden brown…then add your scallions in and lightly saute…the carefully add the white wine and lemon juice and stir…turn off heat for a moment.
Now here is what I do a little differently…I take my broccoli and place it in the boiling water and basically blanche it for about 2 minutes…I then remove it with a spider strainer and add directly to the sauce…allowing the little bits of water to drop right into the sauce…put the heat back on and saute for a few minutes (you know the broccoli consistency your family and friends enjoy) …in the mean time place your cavatelli in the boiling water (the same water as the broccoli was just in) and cook (usually about 5 minutes for fresh and about 8-10 minutes for dry just check out the cooking directions). When the pasta is cooked…scoop it out with your little spider strainer or any slotted spoon and add to the broccoli and sauce mixture once again allowing the dripping pasta water to go into your pan. Mix well and add additional pasta water if needed. Salt and pepper to taste and serve! Let everyone add their “just right” amount of crushed red pepper and grated cheese!
Bon Appetit!
(just a little note…I try to tell you exactly what I do when I make the dish so the directions might not read as many recipes…I hope it helps and also makes you more comfortable that it will all work out!)
Hope you just might add this recipe to your collection! It’s yummy and healthy! Hope you drop by for the next Meatless Monday…it’s Meatless everyday here but always tasty!!!
I will be back later with a little
“Impossibilities”
Update…so see you then…till later sending
(((HUGS)))
This looks great! I love the idea of adding the wine and the lemon juice to lighten it up!
This looks really yummy!
~Mrs. Delightful
ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Thank you so much Andrea for stopping by my blog. You have been automatically entered for my blog give a way. Check this link and you can see the give a way, best of luck.
http://yourcraftbook.blogspot.com/2012/01/fantastic-blog-give-way.html
I am going to check out your other meatless recipes as I am determined to eat less meat, thanks for sharing, Maureen.
That does it Andrea, I am going vegetarian now! I love all your recipes….but broccoli, pasta, and scallions? You rock!
blessings,
karianne
PS Can’t wait to see your update!
just up my alley my dear!!! Love broccoli recipes
just up my alley my dear!!! Love broccoli recipes
just up my alley my dear!!! Love broccoli recipes
just up my alley my dear!!! Love broccoli recipes
just up my alley my dear!!! Love broccoli recipes
YUMMY!!! We are Broccoli Lovers so this is Wonderful… 🙂
Andrea, I’m a broccoli lover and that recipe sounds delicious. I’m your newest follower and I can’t wait to spy your impossibility challenge.
This looks so yummy! I need to get back to making my own pasta.
We love garlic around here too. This is exactly how I do my pastas with broccoli. I blanch it just long enough to get a head start cooking and then cook the pasta in the salted broccoli water. It saves so much time and I’m convinced it flavors the pasta a little 🙂
yummy and you are such a darned great photog too!
This looks and sounds delicious and you really do take such great pics!
Another great recipe– my collection is growing ! Looks yummy and we are big broc eaters in this house!
Thanks for sharing 😀
Visiting from Cherished Treasures SUNDAY BLOG LOVE party today!,
Smiles, Suzanne in NW IL (WhyCuzICan)
I have never had cavatelli…but now I want too. This recipe looks amazing. I am featuring it on Tickled Pink!