Carmela Soprano's Broccoli with Garlic and Hot Pepper

Summer is drawing to a close.

Here we are... Labour Day, the start of Autumn.

Well, it is, for all practical purposes.

Time to get back to routine.

Time to pack away summer clothes.

Time to get back to real meals.

Summer is the time for salads.

But now it's time to eat vegetables with more heft to them.

It's time to make like a bear and bulk up for Winter.

Broccoli and pasta is perfect.

In the Final Celebration chapter of Carmela's Entertaining with the Sopranos, 

there's a recipe for Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Hot Pepper.  

Maybe the nephew / editor has a point.

Nothing says you're alive like sitting down to a heavy meal.

Well, okay, maybe something else can remind you you're alive.

But, this is a family-oriented blog.

We'll stick to food.

Honestly, some people...

In the movie Goodfellas, Paulie uses a razor blade to thinly slice garlic.

Yeah, well, what else did he have to do while he was locked up in prison?

You have a life.

If you'd rather finely chop than slice, go for it.

Remember garlic burns easily. 

                             

                              Broccoli with Garlic and Hot Pepper 

Into a large skillet pour

1/4 Cup olive oil

Add

4 large cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

Pinch of crushed red pepper

Cook over medium heat about 2 minutes.

Add

2 pounds broccoli, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

1/4 Cup water

Salt to taste

Cover the pan and cook about 5 minutes.

Check half-way through that there's enough liquid.

If it's too dry, add some water.

Serve hot or at room temperature.

Carmela suggests tossing the cooked broccoli with hot cooked pasta.

Would I make Broccoli with Garlic and Hot Pepper again?

Sure.

The pasta toss is a nice idea.

But I prefer broccoli with Roasted Beef Tenderloin.

I know Carm served the beef tenderloin with asparagus.

But that's for Spring.

Now's the time for broccoli.

Another recipe down.  Five more to go.