I'll start posting recipes that I've cooked, give a little review of the result, and try to show a picture of the meal as well. Sadly, my pictures of my food never look as great as the meal does in "real life." Ah well... you'll get the idea, and hopefully forgive my novice photography skills! (Perhaps I should next read a book on photography...)
This is orechiette with broccoli rabe and spicy sausage. It's featured in Giada de Laurentiis' "Everyday Italian" cookbook, and was pretty tasty! I used a mild Italian sausage; I wish that I had used one with a bit more heat, because against the starch of the pasta and broccoli the mild sausage flavor got lost. It's a meal that I would repeat, however. Served with a nice green salad with a sweet vinaigrette and some crusty bread - great dinner!
"Orechiette with Spicy Sausage and Broccoli Rabe"
Salt
2 bunches of broccoli rabe
12 oz. orechiette pasta, or other small shaped pasta
3 T olive oil
1 lb spicy pork sausage, casings removed
3 garlic cloves, minced
pinch of dried crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 C freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
In a pot of salted, boiling water, cook the broccoli rabe until crisp tender (about 1 min). Strain the broccoli, reserving all cooking liquid. Return to boil and cook the pasta to al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta, and reserve one cup of cooking liquid.
In a large heavy skillet, heat oil over med-low flame. Add sausage, break up, and cook until brown, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and saute until fragrant. Add broccoli rabe and toss to coat. Add the pasta and enough of the reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 cup/time to moisten. Stir in the parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste. (This yields about 4 main course servings.)
