Orecchiette con Cima di Rape

Orecchiette are little bowl shaped pasta that are made by hand with flour and water in Italy, particularly around Apulia.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 Pound Dried Orecchiette
• 1 Pound Broccoli Rabe
• 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• Pinch Of Red Pepper Flakes
• Salt & Pepper To Taste
• 1/3 Cup Good Quality Olive Oil
• 5 Slices (1/3 Cup) Chopped Pancetta

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Trim the broccoli rabe by cutting off any...: Trim the broccoli rabe by cutting off any tough stems, and chop into 1 inch pieces and peel the skin off the tougher pieces and cut these into 1 inch pieces as well.
2. 2In a small saucepan, heat the oil, garlic,...: In a small saucepan, heat the oil, garlic, pancetta (if using) and pepper flakes.
3. 3Set Aside.
4. 4Heat a large pot of salted water to...: Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil, and add the pasta.
5. 5Cook as per package instructions until the last...: Cook as per package instructions until the last 4-5 minutes of cooking.
6. 6Add the broccoli rabe to the pasta pot...: Add the broccoli rabe to the pasta pot and cook until tender.
7. 7Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving a small cup...: Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving a small cup of pasta water.
8. 8Return the pasta mixture to the pot and...: Return the pasta mixture to the pot and mix well with the oil mixture, adding water as needed to keep it moist.
9. 9Serve piping hot.