Dinner is served.
We’re on the final approach to the big T-day, and after that, a rapid succession of holiday festivities through the end of the year. At this juncture, our thoughts have turned to our waistlines and how to minimize the damage while enjoying all the fun, food and drink of the season. Simplicity in the form of all-veggie meals and stir-frying come to mind first, along with some tasty lean proteins and roasted roots.
This past week was very busy, and I was really bad about getting in my normal quota of green and cruciferous veggies. When this happens I immediately start craving fresh broccoli the way most people crave chocolate. Seriously! Broccoli has always been my favorite vegetable, so maybe that accounts for it. I love it roasted, sauteed, steamed, stir-fried, sauced, casseroled, curried, divaned and raw…and if there was a dessert preparation for it, I might even try it! Um, well…on second thought, maybe not, but you get my drift.
This recipe featuring broccoli is adapted from The New Basics Cookbook (Silver Palate), and though I make it year round, it’s particularly good right now when broccoli is at it’s seasonal best. It’s so very simple, only 6 ingredients plus salt and pepper—and yes there’s a lot of garlic, and yes there are two fats in it. But some olive oil spread over 6 servings is good for you, and the little bit of butter adds moisture and a richness of taste that is worth the few calories. The end result has a sweet and nutty flavor from the garlic, and the meatiness and tiny bit of crunch from the broccoli makes it a most satisfying pasta dish—a meal in itself, and one you can feel pretty good about eating, too! If you can find it and afford it, do please grate a bit of the real parmigiano reggiano on top for serving, and we like ours with a little more freshly ground black pepper. Try this dish…your taste buds, and dare I say your waistline, will thank you.
Penne with Fresh Broccoli and Garlic (Makes 6 Servings)
1 1b. penne pasta, preferably whole wheat
2 lbs. fresh broccoli, washed, florets cut into bite-sides pieces (save the large stalks for soup stocks or compost)
10-12 large cloves of fresh garlic, peeled and cut cross-wise into thin slices
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil + 1 Tablespoon
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for serving
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the broccoli. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, then remove the broccoli with a slotted spoon to a colander to drain, and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Pat the broccoli dry with a paper towel. Bring the large pot of water you used for the broccoli back to a boil, add a heaping tablespoon of salt and the penne. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, drain, return to the empty pot and toss with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the 1/3 cup of olive oil in a large deep-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, shaking the pan, until the garlic is just beginning to brown around the edges, about 2-3 minutes. Add the drained broccoli to the pan, season with a little bit of salt and a lot of fresh ground black pepper and cook, stirring or shaking, until the broccoli is tender and the garlic is a golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add the drained and oiled pasta to the pan with the broccoli, reduce the heat to medium low and stir gently to combine. Add the 2 Tablespoons of butter and allow the pasta to warm while the butter melts, stirring gently. When the butter has melted and the pasta is heated through, taste and add more pepper or salt if needed. Serve, passing the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and the pepper mill.
Lots of garlic and lots of broccoli! Blanch the broccoli for 3 minutes, drain and dry.
Cook the garlic until it looks like this, then marry the broccoli and the garlic. When cooked through it's time for the pasta and the butter. Pass the Parmesan, please!
bits and breadcrumbs 
that is just about perfect, it is a lovely fresh good meal! and ideal for my parmesan!!
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Indeed, c, I’ll bet your parmesan would be the perfect addition!
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Penne + garlic + parmesan cheese = perfection!! Any recipe that gives me another reason to enjoy these 3 ingredients is all right by me. Thanks for sharing!
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So happy to share, John, and thanks for commenting. I feel the same way about the combo of pasta, garlic and parmesan. In fact, I love pasta so much that I must have a tiny bit of Italian blood somewhere!
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I know exactly what you mean about craving fresh veg in the face of lots of rich food, as yummy as those foods are. Love the simplicity of this dish too.
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Thanks noodle! I think having a balance between rich foods and fresh simple foods make each of them more appealing.
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I love how simple this is and how fantastic looking!
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Thanks for the compliment, Greg! It’s great to have some simple, and simply wonderful, dishes to make in your recipe arsenal, isn’t it?
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It is a good combination and quick besides. Some times I add walnuts, and occasionally sun-dried tomatoes as well.
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Hey Judy! Boy, I LOVE the idea of adding walnuts, especially…that would really enhance the nuttiness already going on here. Plus anytime I can sneak a walnut into something I’m a happy gal! Thanks for the suggestion.
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I too get my veggie cravings if I’ve not been able to squeen in my daily quota! This is a classic pasta dish I turn to for a quick fix. Lots of garlic, yes in deed!!
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It IS a classic, isn’t it Spicegirl? My only adaptations have been to reduce the amount of fat by more than half (those Silver Palette ladies did love their fats) and up the amount of garlic and broccoli, and I like it better this way. It’s a recipe you can’t go wrong with, I think!
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The minute I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it.. probably will make it tomorrow. The photo says “comfort food” but it is still so healthy.. Love all the flavors in this one and it’s quick, perfect for mid-week dinner!
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🙂
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I meant that the photo said “comfort food” to me when I looked at it:)
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Hey Smidge! This really is comfort food…that’s what pasta is to me anytime. But of course the high broccoli content makes me feel quite virtuous eating this particular dish! If you do make this, you might consider the thought Judy had above of adding some walnuts…I could see either sauteing with the garlic, or maybe even better, toasting them and sprinkle at the end. I’m gonna try that next time.
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Ok… made it:) if, when I post… if that’s ok?? I’ll give you the credit. It was delicious… added the walnuts as you suggested then some chicken/apple sausage (my husband always wants protein:) Both he and my daughter thought it was the BEST!! Delicious the next day as well:) Thanks!
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Sure Smidge, that’s fine with me. That sounds great with the sausage added and I’m so glad you tried it and liked it! We think it’s delicious the next day, too! I love it when I can get more than one meal out of something during those busy weeks.
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Simple, healthy and delicious! This looks great! Does seem like a great dish around Thanksgiving, to keep it a little lighter and healthier in preparation for the huge feast 🙂
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Hi Stephanie! Yes I am kind of on a healthy mission between now and Christmas…a balance between healthier dishes and the party and holiday food! Thanks for stopping by and I’m going to check out your blog right now…those cookies look wicked!
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Eating good healthy meals before lets you enjoy Thanksgiving now. Have a wonderful day.
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We are in complete agreement on that, Karen! I plan to make heathy meals in between festivities until the end of the year. But, not today! I hope you have a wonderful day, too…a very Happy Thanksgiving to you!
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