BIG TONI’S ITALIAN KITCHEN

Pasta e broccoli

Pasta with broccoli

Serves 6 as a starter and 4 as a main course


        2 large broccoli  florets divided into small florets and washed

        500g short tubular pasta such as penne or rigatoni

        6 tablespoons olive oil

        2 cloves garlic, peeled and whole but crushed 

        1 small red chilli or pepperoncino finely chopped

        Sea salt

        6 anchovy fillets chopped

        A bowl of freshly grated parmesan 


Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil and then add the broccoli florets cook until they are just tender,  remove the florets but retain the cooking water.


In a frying pan heat the olive oil on a low heat and then add the garlic, anchovy fillets, chilli and cook gently for about five minutes. Do not allow the garlic to brown as it will turn bitter, take it out when it starts to colour.


Bring the water you cooked the broccoli in back to a fast boil and add the pasta. Follow the instructions on the packet. I cook my pasta a minuet less than it says on the packet as it I like it al dente


Add the broccoli to the frying pan, and stir, cover and cook gently for 5 minutes, squash half the florets roughly with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning


Drain the Pasta but save a half a cup of cooking water.


Mix the broccoli and pasta in a large warm serving bowl. Add a spoonful of cooking water if you feel the pasta is a little dry.


Serve with plenty of freshly grated parmesan, a grind of black pepper and a drizzle of oil.





Contact Big Toni by clicking here:


Return to Recipes

"Carnaroli'' is the king of risotto rice by Riso Gallo, an exceptional quality rice with large, full-bodied grains that encompasses six generations of passion and culture for rice.


From all good supermarkets.