Bucatini and Broccolini

By Hapemom

Ingredients

• Salt
• 1 pound broccolini or broccoli trimmed into 3 inch long, thin florets
• 1 pound bucatini pasta
• 1 cup pecorino Romano cheese, freshly shaved or grated
• 3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 small Italian red chili or Fresno chili pepper, thinly sliced or substitute 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced or grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 30mins

Preparation

Step 1

1.Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving a ladleful of the pasta cooking water.

Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, bring a few inches of water to a boil. Cut the broccolini into 3- to 4-inch pieces and halve the larger florets (or trim the romanesco and cut into thin florets, or trim the broccoli rabe and cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces). Salt the boiling water in the skillet, add the broccolini (or romanesco or broccoli rabe) and parboil for 4 minutes. Drain well and let cool on a clean towel.

In the same skillet, heat the EVOO, 4 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir for 2 minutes, then add the crushed red pepper and stir for a minute more. Add the broccolini (or romanesco or broccoli rabe) and season with the nutmeg. Add the pasta and reserved cooking water and toss vigorously for a minute or two. Season with salt and black pepper. Pass the pecorino-romano at the table for topping.