Originating from the region of Basilicata, this popular pasta of Puglia is perfect for capturing delicious sauces that accompany it. The name, orecchiette, “little ears” in English, is derived from its shape.
Orecchiette pasta, either fresh or dried, is traditionally cooked with broccoli rabe (rapini) in Basilicata. Broccoli rabe is slightly bitter and more leafy than broccoli. In this recipe I have used broccolini, but any type of broccoli is adequate.
Garlic and chilli magnify this simple vegetarian dish to the next level. Orecchiette Pasta with Broccolini is a great idea for a quick and healthy midweek meal.
Orecchiette Pasta with Broccolini
Serves: 4-6
Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
500g orecchiette, fresh or dried
2 bunches broccolini
4 tbsp olive oil, plus extra
3 large cloves garlic crushed
1 tsp dried chilli flakes, extra to serve
salt and pepper for seasoning
grated pecorino cheese to serve
truffle oil (optional) to serve
Method:
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil.
Add the broccolini and orecchiette to the pan and cook as per cooking instructions (12-14 mins usually)
Reserve one cup of cooking water and drain the rest, separating some of the green vegetable.
In a seperate large frypan, add the garlic and chilli to the heated olive oil and fry gently for a minute.
Add the reserved broccoli and smash together with the garlic and chilli.
Toss in the rest of the greens and orecchiette along with the pasta water, adjusting as you go when needed. Season with salt and pepper and extra olive oil to attain a sauce consistency.
Serve pasta to plates and sprinkle with extra chilli, a drizzle of truffle oil and shavings of fresh pecorino cheese.
Yummy!! Looks so good and easy too. Thanks.
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Thanks Darlene. ๐
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This looks and sounds delicious.
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Thanks Rachael. Enjoy the weekend ๐
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So satisfying and tasty meal! lovely share Lorelle ๐
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Thank you Nisha. It is a definite comfort dish.
Have a lovely weekend ๐
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This looks so yum!
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Thank you bc Gemma.
Hope youโre well ๐
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Iโm not bad now thanks after a bout of flu in hospital. Yourself?
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Glad to hear youโre ok now.
We are all well thank you. ๐
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Yums!
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Thanks guys ๐
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Looks absolutely scrumptious! Thanks for sharing the recipe – Neek
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Most welcome.
Have a great weekend guys. ๐
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My kids favorite vegetable dish! You made it just the way it should be made. That’s what it takes to get kids to eat their vegetables โ make them tasty and good and mix them with pasta!
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Haha… absolutely Stella. Definitely a great way to get the greens into them!
Happy Valentines Day and enjoy the weekend ๐
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I’m going to be trying this out as soon as I get my cooking head on again! Thanks.
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Wonderful, let me know how you go.
Happy weekend ๐
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Looks exactly the sort of thing we’d love and sounds so easy to make. Even I could have a bash at doing that (maybe).
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Iโm sure you could Jonno. Piece of cake ๐ฐ ๐
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Ooh, that oneโs going straight to the pool room! ๐ ๐
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Haha… love it. ๐๐ผ๐
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oh yes this sounds very delicious and light and healthy. i do love broccoli/broccolini etc…
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Me too. Thanks Sherry ๐
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Yum. Sounds nice and easy with delicious flavours ๐๐
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Simple and tasty too. ๐
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