Penne and Broccoli


2 Servings

A favorite recipe that is full of flavor and fast to make - not to mention that it has the cancer-fighting protection of the broccoli.

Ingredients:
4 oz penne or other hearty pasta, uncooked
4 full stalks of broccoli
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, chopped or mashed
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1/2 cup water
Salt to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta in rapidly boiling water until al dente.

2. Trim the ends of the broccoli stems and cut off the flowers. Peel the outer fibrous layer off the main stalks and cut the stalks into bite-sized pieces.

3. Separate the flower of the broccoli into bite-sized pieces.

4. Place the broccoli in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Put it in a saucepan with the olive oil, garlic, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, and let steam until the broccoli is bright green and very crunchy-tender - no more than five minutes. Remove the lid and boil off most of the remaining liquid.

5. Toss the broccoli with cooked pasta. Top with red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese, if desired.


Nutritional Information:

Per serving:
410 calories
12 g total fat (3 g sat)
0 mg cholesterol
61 g carbohydrate
21 g protein
11 g fiber
273 mg sodium