Italian-Style Broccoli Rabe

Garlic, lemon, and the nutty bitterness of broccoli rabe are a wonderful combination. I’m deathly allergic to tree nuts, but this Italian side dish smelled so good the first time I encountered it, I called my doctor the next day to find out if pine nuts are actually nuts. He didn’t know. I went back and ate it anyway. Turns out pine nuts are seeds, by the way.

Step: 1

Combine 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, anchovy paste, and salt in the bowl of a small food processor; blend into a paste.

Step: 2

Remove leaves from broccoli rabe and cut off and discard the bottom 1/4 of the stalks. Cut remaining stalks into pieces.

Step: 3

Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add broccoli rabe and cook uncovered for 1 minute. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse in the ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain. Wrap broccoli rabe in cheesecloth, place in a strainer, and run under water for 10 minutes. Periodically press the rabe to “wring out” any bitter fluids. Pat dry and transfer to a resealable bag. Add anchovy paste and crushed red peppers; marinate for 30 minutes.

Step: 4

Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until browned and fragrant but not burned, about 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Reduce heat to medium-low and add 1 teaspoon olive oil to the skillet. Add broccoli rabe and cook until fork tender and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Step: 5

Transfer to a plate, top with pine nuts, and drizzle with lemon juice.

Per Serving: 269 calories; protein 7g; carbohydrates 8.1g; fat 24.6g; cholesterol 0.4mg; sodium 332.4mg.

One of most clear way to choose a side dish is to look at your main dish (pasta, chicken, seared tofu) and pick more different. When you’re making pasta, go for a simple healthy dish . Making steak? Go for more light. If you’re making stir-fry with rice, it must not a good idea to adjust with make a rice salad.

One make sure is also can make to cooking method . You don’t want to push more often your oven by scheduling three dishes at once in there, or be rounding four pans on the stovetop . But sometimes you can make a dish do double-duty .