Easy Italian Pasta and Broccoli Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 heads broccoli cut into small florets
• 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced (use two for the more timid)
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• grated Romano cheese
• 1 lb pasta thicker such as short or linguini is best
• 1/4 cup Pasta water reserved **Very Important
• dash pepper flakes optional
• 1/4 cup peas optional - why not!

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil
2. Meanwhile wash and trim the broccoli and cut them into small florets .. TIP: For some of the stalks, you can shave off the outer part and then dice them in small pieces
3. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large frying pan (I used our 5.5 qt. Cuisinart French Classic Tri-Ply Stainless pan which I love!)
4. Add in the sliced garlic and saute for about 3 minutes until fragrant
5. Add in the broccoli and about 1/4 cup water (this is not the reserved water mentioned above)
6. Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to directions
7. Meanwhile, cook broccoli until tender – a bright green. You do not want these mushy – you want them with some crunch
8. When the pasta is done, transfer pasta to the large frying pan and mix with the broccoli (if you have to drain the pasta – don’t forget to reserve 1/4 cup of the water!)
9. Serve on plates or pasta bowls, and top with the grated Romano cheese and pepper flakes for those who like some spice.

This article and recipe adapted from site