Orecchiette With Mussels And Broccoli Rabe Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta. Once it is boiling, plop the orecchiette into the pasta water, and cook until al dente.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. When the oil is hot, add the crushed garlic. Let the garlic sizzle a minute, then add the mussels. Cover, and cook until the mussels open, about 5 minutes, then scoop the mussels up with a spider and put them in a bowl to cool slightly. Reserve any leftover liquid.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in another large skillet. Add the sliced garlic, and cook until sizzling and fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Toss in the broccoli rabe and peperoncino, and strain the reserved mussel cooking liquid into the skillet. Cover, and cook until the broccoli rabe is tender, about 10 minutes. If there is too much liquid left in the skillet and it looks soupy, uncover and bring to a rapid boil to reduce and thicken the sauce.
• Pluck the mussels from their shells, and put the meat in a small bowl. (No need to save the shells.) When the pasta is ready, use a spider to transfer it directly into the skillet with the broccoli rabe. Return the mussels to the skillet, drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and toss to coat the pasta with the sauce. Remove from heat, toss with the grated cheese, and serve.

Steps:

• Place a pot of water on the stove to bring to a boil for pasta. Cover pot to bring water to a boil. Salt the water to season it and add half a pound of "little ears" pasta. Cook to al dente, about 7 minutes.
• Trim ends off broccoli rabe, coarsely chop it and add it to a deep skillet. Add 2 or 3 cups of water to the pan. Cover the pan and bring the broccoli rabe to a boil. When the rabe wilts down into the pan, salt it. Simmer the rabe for about 7 minutes until tender and no longer bitter. The color should remain deep green. Drain the rabe and reserve. Return the deep skillet to the stove and place it over medium heat. Add 5 turns of the pan of extra-virgin olive oil, chopped garlic, crushed red pepper flakes and saute 2 to3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add broccoli rabe and turn to coat them in garlic oil. Drain pasta reserving 3/4 cup of pasta water. Add the pasta and water to the pan. Toss pasta and broccoli rabe with lots of grated cheese, salt and pepper, to your taste. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• in an unheated large saute pan, add garlic and pepper flakes to oil and then turn the heat to medium.
• allow the garlic and flakes to color lightly but not burn.
• cook for about 1-2 minutes.
• turn off heat and set aside.
• place a large bowl of ice water nearby.
• in a large pot of salted water, brought up to the boil, add the brocccoli rabe and cook for 2-4 minutes until just tender.
• using tongs remove broccoli rabe from the boiling water into the bowl of ice water to stop it's cooking BUT leave the water boiling on high for your pasta.
• drain broccoli rabe from ice water and then gently squeeze out excess liquid and chop into 2" lengths.
• add the pasta to the boiling water that was used for the broccoli rabe.
• cook according to the package directions.
• add the broccoli rabe to the saute pan with the oil and garlic.
• return to medium heat, stir occasionally and add salt to taste.
• cook for about 3-4 minutes until broccoli rabe is hot and heated through.
• drain pasta (you don't need the water anymore).
• return pasta to the still warm cooking pot.
• add the broccoli rabe along with all the oil and garlic and flakes to the pasta in the pot.
• toss briefly-- the oil becomes your"sauce".
• it should coat everything lightly and not be excessively oily.
• serve immediately.
• if you like you can add freshly grated parmesan or pecorino cheese but i think it tastes better without.

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until beginning to color, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until beginning to soften, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add broccoli rabe and cook until pasta is just tender, but still firm to bite, about 3 minutes. Drain. Transfer pasta and broccoli rabe to large bowl. Pour garlic oil over. Sprinkle with cheeses and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.