Purple Sprouting Broccoli Pasta

Healthiness : (21 votes)

Difficulty:  
Comments: Ask an adult to chop the chilli for you or wear gloves - avoid touching your eyes after touching chilli and wash your hands straight after handling
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 - 30 minutes
Number of servings: 4


Purple Sprouting Broccoli is in season, and at its best, during February.

• 1kg (2lb 4oz) purple sprouting broccoli
• 1 medium sized red chilli (not too hot)
• 2 large cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 small tin of anchovy fillets in olive oil, drained
• good quality olive oil
• 350g (14oz) pasta: fusilli, penne rigate, spaghetti, linguine or conchiglie
• parmesan cheese to grate

• Weighing Scales
• Large Pans
• Knife
• Chopping Board
• Tablespoon
• Strainer
• Bowl
• Cling Film

Always wash your hands before preparing food.

1. Put a large pan of water on to boil with a little salt
2. Trim the outer leaves and tough stalks from the broccoli. Wash the broccoli well to get out any grit and chop into 1cm pieces
3. Cut the chilli in half lengthways and scrape out the seeds and pith
4. Chop the chilli flesh, the garlic and the anchovies finely. (Ask an adult to chop the chilli for you or wear gloves - avoid touching your eyes after touching chilli and wash your hands straight after handling)
5. In another large pan, warm 60ml (4 tablespoons) of olive oil over a medium heat and add the chilli, garlic and anchovies
6. Gently cook these for a minute then add the broccoli, season with a little salt and pepper, then continue to cook gently whilst the pasta boils
7. Put the pasta into the boiling water and stir
8. Cook until tender but still with a little bit of bite (al dente). This could take anything between 7 and 12 minutes depending on the type of pasta you choose - follow the instructions on the packet
9. Grate 4tbsp of the cheese into a bowl
10. After the pasta has been cooking for 5 minutes transfer a small ladle of the cooking water to the broccoli. Turn up the heat to high, add another 30ml (2 tablespoons) of oil and add the cheese. Cook for 2 minutes, if the brocolli is cooked and tender, cover and set aside until the pasta is done.  If its not, continue cooking on a medium heat until done
11. Drain the pasta then toss with the broccoli and serve immediately