Diff Pasta - no tomatoes

ORECCHIETTE CON CIME DI RAPA

 Here is a quick and easy non tomato based pasta as requested by a reader here at the food image recipe emporium.


ORECCHIETTE CON CIME DI RAPA (serves 2)
Ingredients:
1 lb of broccolini rabe - chopped into long slender bits and small floret pieces * * * (you can use regular broccoli or tender stem broccoli if you want, however rabe has a nice mustard kick that really helps in this dish) 
250g / 1/2 lb ORECCHIETTE pasta (small half-sphere-like pasta from Puglia, if not these then use something small and round)
3 tbsp Extra Virgina Olive Oil
1 hot red chile - chopped (you can also just use 1tsp red pepper flakes, just add it in at the end)
2 cloves garlic - diced
5 anchovies (OPTIONAL BUT REALLY GOOD) 
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (or more if you like)

METHOD:
Put a large pot of salted water on high heat. When it is at a rolling boil put both the pasta and broccolini in. Stir and let cook until Orecchiette is al dente (soft but not mushy, slight bit of firmness...whatever). BEFORE YOU DRAIN RESERVE A 1/3 CUP OF THE PASTA WATER! Drain veggies and pasta. 

Using either the same pot or a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in anchovies if using and red chili. Break anchovies up with wooden spoon until disintegrated into oil (don't let chili burn though). Add in garlic and fry just for a minute DONT LET IT BROWN! Quickly add drained pasta and broccoli and the reserved pasta water and toss well to incorporate (if using red pepper flakes add them now). Salt to taste and throw in a good bit of fresh grated black pepper.

Put parmesan on table so that people can add that stuff on according to their own liking.

SERVE NOW EAT QUICK ENJOY TELL ME HOW YOU LIKED IT