Rating: 💋 💋 💋 💋
I do not know if I am capable of fully articulating how much joy this dish brings me, but I am going to try.
Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables of all time. I stood apart in the kindergarten war over Carrots V Broccoli. Broccoli all the way. Somebody has to love these little trees, and I happen to think I have unlocked a secret of the universe by taking up this stance. Add on to that the fact that any dish with the words "brown butter" is pure gold, and when my mom ripped this recipe out of a magazine back in 2012, I was overjoyed. I could not wait to try it. She then decided to add my fave, chorizo, to the dish to get us some protein. I could hardly stand it, I was so excited.
Curtis Stone's Orecchiette with Broccoli, Brown Butter, Pine Nuts, & Basil
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 6 cups broccoli florets, trimmed to have 1" stems
- 1 lb orecchiette (substitute: penne)
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* Magee Version: 10 oz. Spanish chorizo sausage
Preparation:
- Cook broccoli in a large pot of boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, scoop broccoli out of the water and set aside. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
* If adding chorizo, slice the sausage into rounds and sauté in oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes, until browned.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter in the pan for 2 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook for 1 minute. Gently add in pasta, pine nuts, basil, chorizo if using, and lemon juice. Season and drizzle enough of the pasta water in to create a light sauce.
- Plate and drizzle olive oil over each serving. Enjoy!
There is no other option but to enjoy this plate of pasta. It is so beautiful and so delicious. I love how the sweet pine nuts play with the lemon juice-soaked broccoli and spicy sausage, and the brown butter carries its incredible, nutty flavor throughout. I also really like that the sauce is so light. This is a pasta that does not lead to a food coma by default and, while I love those pastas too, I love the freshness of this dish. I also appreciate how you can easily have it vegetarian, or add in a little more protein if you like. It is such a flexible, simple dish, and I think I am in love!
Speaking of love, I hope you all had a sweet Valentine's Day, romance not required though always fun. My Valentine's Day was focused on love for my friends and a little bit of self-love ( beauty face masks were essential). It was really nice. I think it is a holiday best enjoyed when not taken too seriously. I want to send my love to all of you, my readers. I so appreciate you ❤️
Have a fantastic week!
XX,
MK
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