Pasta 'e' Broccoli

This is another one inspired from "The Chew."  The recipe called for cauliflower and angel hair pasta, but I swapped it out for broccoli and spaghetti.  Let me just say, it was a fantastic hit in my house!  Eoin, Bill and I absolutely LOVED it!  Over the summer Eoin started trying broccoli, raw and cooked, and seemed to like it a lot.  Luckily, he still likes broccoli!  I welcome any changes from the plain old pasta and marinara!  The directions are going to be the same regardless if you use the broccoli or cauliflower, it's just left up to what you prefer.  Next time, I will make it with the cauliflower and I'll update my feedback at that time.  And don't think that you don't have time to make a dinner like this!  It seriously takes UNDER 10 minutes to make!  

Yields 4-6 Servings


Ingredients:

• 1 bunch cauliflower or broccoli
• 1 lb pasta (angel hair, spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, your choice)
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 3 garlic cloves 
• 1 jar capers  (I didn't have capers on hand so I used green olives with a tablespoon or two of the juice for the desired "saltiness")
• Parsley, for garnish (Can use fresh or dried, whichever you have on hand)
• About 3 tablespoons of Parmesan Cheese
• About 2 tsp red pepper flakes, depending on taste

Directions:

• Bring a pot of salted water to boil.  Add the pasta, cooking 1 minutes less than box instructions for al dente.

• While your pasta is cooking, heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet.  Chop cauliflower or broccoli into bite-sized bits.  Chop up your garlic and, if using fresh parsley, your parsley.  When oil is heated, add your cauliflower or broccoli, followed by the garlic, the red pepper flakes, the olives with the splash of olive juice (or the jar of capers).  (The key is to NOT overcook your cauliflower or broccoli, you don't want it limp.  And you don't want the garlic on the heat too long, you don't want it to burn!  You want it to be cooked, but crisp!)  Stir to incorporate.

• When the pasta is done cooking, DO NOT DRAIN!  Use tongs to take the pasta from the pot and add to skillet.  Add a ladle or two full of the pasta sauce to the skillet to help create a sauce.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley and mix thoroughly.  You can use more parsley and cheese for a garnish.