Pasta with Broccoli

For the main dish, Michelle shared a Pasta with Broccoli recipe in line with the idea of adding more vegetables in our diet.

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Michelle encouraged the use of whole grain pasta which has higher fiber contents.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz (1/2 pound) chunky, whole grain pasta
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups chopped broccoli
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Extra salt for cooking pasta. Salted water gives the pasta more flavour. Adding a bit of the pasta cooking water to your pasta sauce helps to thicken the sauce and makes it sticks to your pasta better.

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You may experiment with these variations:

  • add one cup cooked edamame or other beans
  • add 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives
  • top with toasted walnuts or pine nuts
  • add a couple chopped tomatoes at the end

Source: Moosewood for Health

Serves 4


Instructions

Senior Kitchen 035Bring a large covered pot of salted water to a boil. When water comes to a boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain (reserve some cooking water) and place in a serving bowl.
Senior Kitchen 049While the pasta cooks, in a skillet, warm the oil on medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes.

Add garlic, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup of hot pasta cooking water. Cover, lower the heat and steam until the broccoli is tender.

 

Senior Kitchen 015Meanwhile, crumble the feta cheese.
Senior Kitchen 064Toss the pasta with the cooked broccoli and crumbled feta.

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