Pasta and Broccoli

If you love broccoli, you'll love this recipe. If you hate broccoli, this recipe might make you like it - the pasta, garlic and parmesan really enhance the sweetness of the broccoli.  Give it a try!  If you use whole wheat pasta in this dish, you'll have a trifecta with the garlic, whole wheat and broccoli on the good for you front ☺Then you can make my Texas Sheet Layer Cake for dessert - it's all about balance, right?

Ingredients

1 head Broccoli
1/2 pound pasta
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tsp. salt, kosher
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Directions

Boil pasta per package directions. Cut broccoli into 1" pieces including stem. In the last 5 minutes of cooking time of pasta, add broccoli to water and let cook with pasta.  Drain all together into colander when pasta is done, reserving 1/2 cup of water to the side. While pasta is cooking, heat oil in frying pan and add garlic to brown and release flavor into oil.  Do NOT burn! Remove from heat as soon as garlic browns. In serving bowl, toss pasta, broccoli, oil/garlic mixture, salt and pepper. Mix and add water as needed to coat well. Add cheese and taste for seasoning. Serve with additional cheese or shaved Parmesan curls.