Today Frederick is making Orecchiette with Broccli Raab and Italian Sausage for lunch during Dallas Market. Come and see us in WTC 608, or follow the recipe below!!

Orecchiette with Broccoli Raab & Italian Sweet Sausage

Ingredients 1 bunch broccoli raab (about 1 lb) 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 pint cherry tomatoes 1/2 bunch parsley, chopped 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1/4 cup pine nuts 4 Italian sweet sausage 8 oz. fresh mozzarella Grated parmesan cheese to taste Salt and pepper
Choose broccoli raab with a minimum of yellow flowers. Chop off the tough stems from the broccoli raab and any yellowed leaves. Wash, drain, and chop. Heat the olive oil in a deep sauté pan. Add the garlic and cook being careful not to brown. (Browning garlic adds a bitter taste) Add the broccoli raab and parsley and cook until it wilts down. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook another 5 minutes. Place the pine nuts on a cookie sheet and brown in a 350 degree oven. Cook the sausage on another cookie sheet until done. Be sure to prick the sausage on both sides before placing in the oven. When fully cooked, slice the sausage and drain the fat. Add the sausage and the pine nuts to the broccoli raab mixture.  Cook the orecchiette pasta according to the package instructions. Orecchiette is the ear shaped pasta from Southern Italy, especially Apulia. Toss the pasta with the broccoli raab mixture. Slice the fresh mozzarella into the pasta or place individual slices on a plate and put the hot pasta over it. Top with grated parmesan cheese. Broccoli Raab (sometimes known as rapini) is a very nutritious vegetable, low in calories, and high in fiber. It has many cancer fighting vitamins and minerals including pantothenic acid, vitamin K, C, and the B vitamins. Sometimes I have made this recipe by substituting spinach or kale which are also extremely nutritious. In addition, I never miss an opportunity to add as much parsley to a recipe as possible. Vitamin pills are made out of parsley and it is a good way to get needed vitamins and minerals into your family and it doesn’t have an overpowering taste.