After a pretty fatty weekend, I felt the need to eat something a bit more healthy.  I found this recipe out of my new favorite cookbook: Cooking With Italian Grandmothers.

Vincenzo’s Broccoli and Pine Nut Pasta

First: Steam a head of broccoli.  Not a little- steam it a lot- 20 minutes- or until it is really soft.

Also start your noodles- a half pound of dried pasta like penne or fusilli.

Meanwhile, Saute two cloves of garlic in about two tablespoons olive oil until they are light golden brown.  This is supposed to be done with a finely chopped peperoncino, which I did not have.  I subbed red pepper flakes.

After the garlic is golden brown, add three finely chopped sun dried tomatoes.  In the future, I might add more of these because they are so good… but again, trying to be a good girl today- so just three.  Also two tablespoons of pine nuts.

Cook a couple more minutes and then add your super soft broccoli.  Mash the broccoli with the back of a spoon until it looks a bit like pesto.

Cook for a couple more minutes and wait for your noodles to finish.  When your noodles are done, dump them in the broccoli and mix up.

Mix really well and place on two plates.  Top with some parmesan.

Then take a bite and congratulate yourself on eating so well.