Thursdays Are For Cooking….!

This is coming to you from Food Network’s recipe section. The link is below. The dish itself is simple and easy to fix, using simple ingredients. Hint: if you can’t find orrechiette, use pasta shells instead, or just short pasta.

It is still chilly in my kingdom, there is snow on my front steps this morning, and my cat has buried herself in the blankets in my sleeping quarters.

So cold is it, that the wildflowers which would ordinarily be in full bloom by now are still holding back. And since The Queen of the May is slow in awakening this year, I suggest that we all take a hint that perhaps things aren’t so bad, after all. It’s just cold Arctic air flowing south, nothing more.

So if you add a good green salad, some crusty bread and spreadable cheese or butter, and a good hearty beverage, plus a dessert that makes your brain happy, life will seem a lot better than any politician could possibly imagine.

Enjoy!!! Buon appetito!!

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

Source: Food Network Recipes  https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/italian-sausage-recipes

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

Shaved Parmesan, for garnish

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

Kosher salt to taste, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons

2 pounds broccoli rabe, stems trimmed

1 pound orecchiette pasta

4 cloves garlic, sliced

Directions:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, and cook, turning occasionally until browned, about 10 minutes. Remove sausage to a plate and reserve pan and sausage drippings.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat. Add a large pinch of salt and broccoli rabe and cook, uncovered, until broccoli rabe is bright green and tender but still slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Immediately transfer broccoli rabe using tongs to a colander (reserve boiling water) and rinse under cold running water. Chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
• Add pasta to reserved boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (tender but not mushy), about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, heat reserved pan and drippings over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until it is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add broccoli rabe, pepper flakes, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt; increase heat to medium-high, and cook, continually stirring, until broccoli rabe is hot and tender, about 5 minutes. Slice sausage into 1/4-inch thick coins and add to pan and mix well cook until sausage is warmed through, about 5 more minutes.
• Drain pasta in a colander in sink, reserving 1/4 cup of cooking liquid. Toss pasta and liquid with broccoli rabe mixture. Transfer pasta to a serving dish or individual bowls, garnish with Parmesean and serve.

 

Category: Cooking