Broccoli Frascatelli Recipes

Steps:

• On a work surface, spread semolina in a layer 1/2 inch thick. Have a bowl containing a quart of cold water ready. Line a large baking sheet with sides with parchment or waxed paper.
• Dip the fingers of one hand into cold water, and sprinkle semolina by flicking water off your hand. Repeat until semolina is well-speckled with droplets but not saturated. Use a dough scraper or spatula to gather semolina lightly into a mound. You will see tiny clumps of dough form. Place all the semolina in a large strainer, and sift it back over work surface. Spread tiny clumps that are left in strainer on baking sheet.
• Repeat Step 2 three or four times, until almost all the semolina is in clumps on baking sheet. The last quarter cup or so will be too damp to continue and should be discarded. If not cooking pasta immediately, sprinkle it lightly with additional semolina, and cover it loosely with a clean cloth. It can be left up to 24 hours.
• Bring 4 quarts of well-salted water to a boil. Dump pasta clumps in and cook about a minute, until water just about returns to boil.
• Place olive oil in a 4-quart sauté pan or shallow saucepan. While pasta cooks, warm olive oil over medium heat and add garlic and fresh chili so they start to sizzle.
• Use a skimmer to drain pasta from boiling water and transfer it to the pan with oil. Some moisture should be left clinging to pasta. Alternatively, reserve about 3 cups of pasta water, then drain pasta in a colander.
• Gently stir pasta in oil for a few minutes, gradually adding enough pasta water to keep mixture quite moist, like a risotto. Fold in parsley, 4 tablespoons cheese and, if desired, dried pepper flakes. Divide among 6 soup plates, dust each portion with remaining cheese and serve.

Steps:

• For the pasta - get a large pot of well salted water on high heat.
• As you wait for the water to boil, make your frascatelli.
• Dump the semolina into a baking dish, shaking to create one even layer. Have one cup of water ready and waiting at the side of the dish.
• Dip all five of your fingertips into the water and, lifting water with them, spray the water over the top of the semolina flour. Do this repeatedly until most of the surface is covered in splotches of water. Wait 30 seconds for the water to absorb into the flour. Then, using a slotted spoon, spatula or, really, even your fingers, gently turn the flour onto itself, forming dumplings.
• Put the dumplings into a colander or sieve and shake out the excess semolina over the baking dish. Gently transfer the finished dumplings onto a baking sheet.
• Return to the baking dish and repeat the same process until you have used all of the semolina and/or water. You may have a little water left at the end, which is fine. The bits of semolina that remain in the bottom of the baking dish can be pressed together to form dumplings.
• In a 12′ sauté pan, gently heat the olive oil, minced garlic and red pepper flakes over low heat. Once the garlic is fragrant add the trimmed broccoli.
• Season generously with salt and black pepper and whichever liquid you are using - wine or veggie stock or water - to the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil, stir the broccoli and place a lid on the pan - steaming the broccoli for a few minutes.
• Remove the lid and turn the heat off.
• Once the water boils, cook the frascatelli. Use a wooden spoon to make a vortex or whirlpool in the water - this helps to prevent the frascatelli from sticking to each other and the bottom of the pot. Cook the frascatelli for no more than 1 minute.
• Drain the water and add the frascatelli directly to the broccoli. Stir well.
• Taste and adjust seasoning.
• To serve: top with freshly grated Pecorino cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place broccoli in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, about 4 to 6 minutes; drain.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in salt, flour, and milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly. Stir in cream cheese until melted. Remove from heat, and stir in broccoli.
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup of crushed crackers over the bottom of a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Slowly pour the broccoli mixture into the dish, and top with remaining crushed crackers.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.