Quickest Delicious Italian-Style Meal
OK, you come home from work and you're hungry. You really wish you had something quick and delicious you could prepare within minutes. Well, if you've stocked your kitchen with my simple basics, you do!
This is the simplest possible meal, and it's also healthy. Just make sure you have
1. pasta (a whole grain variety will be even healthier)
2. some vegetable (let's say broccoli.)
3. olive oil
4. sea salt
5. freshly-grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Put a big pot of water on the stove. As it heats, cut the broccoli into florets and grate a little cheese.
When the water boils, add a large pinch of sea salt and then dump in the pasta. Give it a stir and then set your timer according to pasta directions.
A few minutes before the timer goes off, dump in the broccoli florets. If you have put enough water in the pot, it should return to a boil quickly. Test the pasta for al dente doneness before the timer goes off, being careful not to burn yourself. There should be a little resistence when you bite into a piece.
When the pasta is al dente, drain it and the broccoli into a colander. Dish a small portion of pasta into a pasta bowl. ( A wide, flat soup bowl will do.) Top with broccoli florets. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with grated cheese. (Salt to taste, if necessary.)
You can whip this one up in the time it takes to boil the pasta! Have a salad with it if you like.
Now, if you have a little more time and want to try something even better, do the following: Set the oven for 425 degrees as soon as you get home. After you've cut up the broccoli, put the florets, place them in a shallow baking dish and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkly with salt. Stick in the heated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the broccoli is soft and lightly singed. Top the drained pasta with the roasted broccoli and sprinkle with freshly-grated cheese.
This one's good, but you want to make it even BETTER? Add toasted pine nuts to the cheese-covered broccoli. You won't have any vegetable haters in your house when you serve this one!