About a month ago, I was in one of the Italian delis in Soho looking to purchase some orecchiette. One of the ladies behind the counter suggested I just go whole hog and buy the 1kg bag. And that’s how I ended up with a kilo of pasta in a tiny kitchen that’s already full up to the gills. Now to use it up.
My favourite recipe for orecchiette is this one – good with regular ol’ broccoli and I guess must be very good with broccoli rabe. Even if you’re not fond of anchovies, do give it a try – they give a deep savouriness to the dish rather than an unpleasant fishiness.
Orecchiette with Broccoli and Anchovies
serves 2
200-250g orecchiette (depends on how hungry you are!)
1 small head broccoli
olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced thinly
1 clove garlic, minced
4-6 anchovy fillets or a good squeeze of anchovy paste
chili flakes (optional)
salt and pepper
Saute the sliced onion in olive oil over a low heat and in the meantime, set a pot of water to boil. Chop the broccoli into small florets – don’t let the stem go to waste! Peel it and chop it up too. When the water boils, toss in the broccoli. When the onion is golden, add in the garlic and the anchovies (or the paste) and the chili flakes and saute together. Scoop out the broccoli when it’s as tender as you like it, and add to the onion mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind that the pasta will be cooking in salted water and that the anchovies can be very salty.
Add salt and the orecchiette to the boiling water. When al dente, drain and toss with the broccoli mixture. Add a little of the pasta water if the mixture looks too dry. Done!
Wed, 1 Aug, 2007 at 22:12
I’m going through a simple-but-tasty pasta phase too. Last week saw a marriage of pasta, diced halloumi, fresh herbs and broccoli. I may have to swap the anchovy for halloumi the next time, though it’s hard to let the cheese go. 🙂
Fri, 3 Aug, 2007 at 17:33
Hi Annemarie! Why not put both in? 🙂
Tue, 7 Aug, 2007 at 08:16
Had this last night and it was delicious, and simple to make. I’d never thought of mixing anchovies with brocolli!
This is turning into my favourite blog 😉
Tue, 7 Aug, 2007 at 15:26
Hi dan! I’m glad that the recipe worked out for you and that you liked it! This warms the cockles of my heart! 🙂
Wed, 8 Aug, 2007 at 09:20
Su-Lin, I am new to the combination of anchovies and broccoli too but I think it is a fab combination. I first tried it with this year’s first crop of purple sprouting broccoli and loved it. Strangely I seem to have forgotten about it since then so I’m glad you reminded me!
Wed, 8 Aug, 2007 at 20:02
Michele: Isn’t it terrific? It’s got the same flavour combination as a bagna cauda, which I reckon must be fantastic.