Broccoliboutonnieresandbuttons Recipes

BROCCOLI AND BOW TIES

Steps:

• Cook the broccoli for 3 minutes in a large pot of boiling salted water. Remove the broccoli from the water with a slotted spoon or sieve. Place in a large bowl and set aside.
• In the same water, cook the bow-tie pasta according to the package directions, about 12 minutes. Drain well and add to the broccoli.
• Meanwhile, in a small saute pan, heat the butter and oil and cook the garlic and lemon zest over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Off the heat, add 2 teaspoons salt, the pepper, and lemon juice and pour this over the broccoli and pasta. Toss well. Season to taste, sprinkle with the pignolis and cheese, if using, and serve.
• To toast pignolis, place them in a dry saute pan over medium-low heat and cook, tossing often, for about 5 minutes, until light brown.

BROCCOLI & BOW TIES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water up to the boil, add broccoli florets, and cook for just 3 minutes; you need the water to cook the pasta, so do not drain; instead, remove broccoli with a large slotted spoon and place into a large serving bowl.
• Making sure the water is still boiling, add pasta; cook according to pkg directions (about 10 to 12 minutes), then drain well and add cooked pasta to the broccoli.
• While pasta is cooking, toast the pine nuts: place a small skillet over medium-low heat and add nuts to skillet; stir often--it will take about 5 minutes for them to toast; watch carefully so they do not burn; set aside.
• Now heat the butter and oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat; add both minced garlic and lemon zest and saute for one minute.
• Remove skillet from burner and add the salt and pepper, and the lemon juice; stir to combine then pour over the broccoli and pasta in the large bowl; toss.
• Taste pasta and broccoli mixture and add more salt or pepper if necessary.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts and parmesan over dish, and serve.

CHEESY BOW TIES WITH BROCCOLI AND MOZZARELLA SKEWERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, then drain and set aside (reserve the pot).
• Meanwhile, toss the broccoli on a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the parmesan and garlic. Transfer to the oven and roast until the broccoli is slightly charred and the cheese starts browning, about 12 minutes.
• Melt the butter in the reserved pasta pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour; cook, whisking, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the mustard and milk and cook, whisking occasionally, until thick and creamy, 4 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the cheddar and season with salt and pepper; continue cooking until the cheese is melted, 1 to 2 more minutes. Stir in the pasta until coated and warmed through, about 1 minute.
• Thread the mozzarella and tomatoes onto 8 small skewers. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Serve with the pasta and broccoli.

BUTTONS AND BOWS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 2 tablespoons sugar, the nutmeg, cinnamon, milk and egg until soft dough forms.
• Place dough on surface sprinkled with Bisquick mix. Roll dough into a ball; knead about 5 times. Press or roll dough until 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough with doughnut cutter dipped in Bisquick mix.
• To make bow shapes, hold opposite sides of each ring of dough, then twist to make a figure 8. On ungreased cookie sheet, place bows and buttons (the dough from the center of each ring).
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately dip each bow and button into melted butter, then in 1/2 cup sugar. Serve warm.