Rigatoni with Broccoli and Sausage

adapted from Emeril Lagasse

1 lb. Rigatoni
2 heads broccoli cut into florets (about 4 c.)
1/4 c. olive oil
2 garlic cloves minced
1 Tbsp. lemon zest
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
Parmesan for serving

Cook sausage, breaking up into small pieces, until browned. Set sausage aside.
Boil pasta according to directions. In last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli. Reserve 1 c. pasta water. While pasta and broccoli are in the colander, add oli, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper to the pot and warm until flavors come together. Add pasta, broccoli and sausage back into the pot and stir, add the 1 c. of pasta water. Salt and Pepper to taste and generously grate Parmesan cheese over top.
This was amazing and the children loved it too!!

Pan Fried Talapia

My dear friend Sheena made this for my family after my Grandma passed away and it was amazing! She gave us broccoli and the best mashed potatoes to go with it.
Here is the recipe

Hot Pockets

A dish that my mom makes often for company that she calls, “Chicken with Broccoli in a Crescent Roll” – but I prefer Hot Pockets!
Cooked, cubed chicken (about 2-3 breasts), 1 can cream of chicken soup, ½ brick of cream cheese, some grated cheddar cheese (about ¾ cup), a small can of sliced black olives, and a head or so of cut up, steamed (slightly undercooked) broccoli. Mix that up. On a cookie sheet lay out the crescent roll dough, pinching the holes closed (now they have dough sheets you can buy and they’re much easier). Lay your filling down on top, and with another can of dough, make a layer on top. Pinch the sides together to form a huge hot pocket! Bake at the temp on the can until the crust is golden brown and everything inside is hot (about 25 min).

Stromboli

A recipe from Everyday Food Magazine (one of my favorite magazines!)
I left out the garlic (it just didn’t sound too good to me with broccoli!) and I didn’t have salami. I added a bit of cheddar cheese with the mozzarella. It was delicious!
Here is the recipe

Tortellini & Broccoli

An easy meal to prepare in no time.  Store bought fresh tortellini with your favorite sauce, and steamed fresh broccoli.  Yummy!