Orecchiette Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Rabe (Rabini)

This is a classic Italian "no-sauce" pasta.  Light, hearty, and spicy.  Orchiette pasta can be hard to find, so I've found medium shells make a good substitute.  Broccoli rabe (rabini) can be bitter, so use regular broccoli for milder flavor.  Serves 4, but recipe can be doubled for more servings.

Ingredients:

2 bunches broccoli rabe (substitute regular brocolli)
1 pound orecchiette pasta (substitute medium shells)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp dried crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

Directions:

1) If using broccoli rabe, just cut the stems off.  If using regular broccoli, cut the heads in to small florets.  Cook the broccoli in a large pot of boiling, salted water until tender, but crisp (approx 1 minute.)  Use a slotted spoon or fry net to transfer the broccoli to a large bowl of ice water to cool, saving the cooking water. Bring the reserved cooking water back to a boil.

2) Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into pieces with a spatula or spoon until browned and juices form (approx. 11 minutes.) Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and saute until fragrant (approx. 2 minutes.)

Strain broccoli from ice water when cooled ans set aside.  When the reserved cooking water is boiling, add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally (approx. 8 minutes.)  Strain water.

3) Add broccoli to the pan with the sausage mixture and toss to coat with the juices. Add the pasta to the skillet. Stir in the Parmesan and serve immediately.  Garnish with more Parmesan if desired.

White Trash Food

 

I once came home from the store and realized I had accidentally picked up a can of cheddar cheese soup.  Not knowing what to do with it, I looked to the label and found this recipe.  The endearing name of this dish was coined by a friend as I was trying to explain it over the phone.  “Sounds like white trash food”, she said.  Well, this isn’t exactly Hamburger Helper.  It’s actually one of my most favorite recipes and THE BEST comfort food to make.  The recipe is no longer on the label, but is presented to you below from memory.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1 can cheddar cheese soup

1 can (10.75 oz) chicken or beef broth

1 ½ cups water

2 cups of medium shell pasta, uncooked

½ cup ketchup

Directions:

Heat a large pan or skillet on med-high with some non-stick spray or little bit of oil.  Add ground meat and break apart as it cooks until no longer pink.  Remove from heat and strain liquid if desired.

To the meat, add cheese soup, ketchup, broth, and water and stir together (I’ve found that if you submerge the can of soup in hot tap water while cooking the meat, it is easier to remove from the can.)

 Fold in the shell pasta and add the water.  Once everything is combined, bring to boil on the stove.  Cook uncovered for 20 minutes, or until pasta is cooked, stirring frequently.

Suggestion:  I like to mix Sriracha chili sauce in while cooking, but it also tastes good added on top when served.

Welcome

Hello and thank you for checking out my blog.  This is just my little place to share my favorite recipes with the world.  I really enjoy cooking and love to experiment in the kitchen.  I don't like following recipes and only use them as a guide.  This means most of the recipes posted here are my own variation on other recipes I've come across.  I hear so many people say cooking is too hard or too much work, but once you learn a few things it's really just following a process.  I've tried to write these recipes in a clear and helpful manner so anyone can prepare them.  Please feel free to let me know if anything is unclear or needs further explanation.  Have fun cooking and bon appetit!