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The Tiny Italian

Pasta, Gnocchi & Polenta / Recipes / Vegetarian

Quick broccoli pasta dish

Life has been getting a little hectic recently and believe it or not, I have been struggling to find time to cook myself a decent home-cooked meal. My career is in food, so I’m surrounded by it daily, but it’s not the same when you cook something that you love that you can enjoy curled up on the sofa.

It’s times like these that I like to look at my recipe back catalogue and cook dishes that I’ve grown to love over the years. Therefore, I present to you a QUICK BROCCOLI PASTA dish that is inspired by my many trips to Puglia, southern Italy. Orecchiette pasta (little ears) is usually served coated in ‘cima di rapa’, (turnips tops) which is cooked in olive oil, garlic, chilli and anchovies. I do pride myself on not being an anal purist when it comes to Italian cooking and always like to look at the British alternatives. It’s all about creating recipes that people are comfortable cooking, no matter their background. To put in perspective, it cost me only 65p to buy a broccoli head and the rest of the ingredients were in my cupboard.

So if you ever feel, time is not on your side, don’t forget to take care of yourself and cook this quick broccoli pasta dish to bring you goodness and joy. If you like to add meat to your meal, why not fry and render some bacon lardons or pancetta with your garlic and chill before you add back your broccoli. They bring a lovely saltiness to the dish. Or you can create the saltiness effect by sprinkling generous spoonfuls of grated parmesan or pecorino on top. No matter how you decide to cook this recipe, you can’t lose. Pour yourself a glass of wine and you’re set.

quick broccoli pasta
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Quick broccoli pasta (2-3 people)

  • 1 broccoli head, cut into florets

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • Chilli flakes

  • 2 anchovy fillets

  • 300g pasta (penne or orecchiette)

  • Extra virgin olive oil

  • Sea salt

  • Ground black pepper

  • Parmesan, grated (optional)

PrintPrint

QUICK BROCCOLI PASTA

  • In a large sauce, bring to the boil salted water. Drop in the broccoli florets and cook for 5-8 minutes until they have softened.
  • When the broccoli has cooked, remove from the water with a slotted spoon. Ensure you reserve the cooking water as you will need it later to cook the pasta in.
  • In a frying pan, drizzle generously some olive oil. Add the garlic and cook on a low heat until softened. Then sprinkle some chilli flakes (to your taste) and the anchovy fillets. Stir all together with a wooden spoon and cook until the anchovies have melted away into the oil.
  • At the point, add back in the cooked broccoli. Give it a good stir until it is coated in the flavoured olive oil. Cover with a lid and cook for another 10-12 minutes.
  • In the meantime, bring the broccoli water back to a boil. Season with salt and cook the pasta as instructed on the packet.
  • Check on the broccoli and smash it with the back of your wooden spoon to create a sauce.
  • When the pasta is cooked and ‘al dente’, drain and add to the broccoli sauce and make sure the sauce coats the pasta. Make sure you reserve some of the pasta water and add 2-3 tbsp to the sauce to give it a ‘creamy’ effect.
  • Serve immediately with ground black pepper and grated parmesan (optional).
TAGS:broccoli pastaeasy broccoli pastavegetarian pasta
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The Tiny Italian

Ciao, I’m Paola I’m Paola (The Tiny Italian). I'm an Italian food expert cook and teacher. I teach people to not only cook but teach them how to LOVE TO COOK. I help change peoples mindset by showing them that cooking is not only for 'FOODIES' and sharing the fun, stress-free side with recipes, tips and cooking experiences.

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Ciao, I’m Paola
Ciao, I’m Paola

Ciao, I’m Paola

I’m Paola (The Tiny Italian). I'm an Italian food expert, cook and teacher. Cooking doesn't come easy to everyone. However, I help you LEARN to LOVE to cook and eat better with EASY SEXY HEALTHY Italian RECIPES. Plus TIPS and HACKS to build your kitchen CONFIDENCE. Come cook with me at one of my fun stress free cooking classes or courses. It’s all about helping others BELIEVE IN THEIR OWN SAUCE!

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It’s a space for you to intentionally take part in fun delicious mindful self care cooking. It’s a space to help rediscover your cooking mojo and transform your cooking relationship. When you are busy it’s hard to find time for yourself. However when you change your mindset about something you do everyday I.e. cooking, you can turn what feels like a chore into the self care you need to reward yourself after a hectic day. 
For more info head to my website (link under my bio) or drop me a DM on here or email me paola@thetinyitalian.com
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This is your invitation to come join the best online self care cooking community on the planet. SAUCY SOCIETY It’s a space for you to intentionally take part in fun delicious mindful self care cooking. It’s a space to help rediscover your cooking mojo and transform your cooking relationship. When you are busy it’s hard to find time for yourself. However when you change your mindset about something you do everyday I.e. cooking, you can turn what feels like a chore into the self care you need to reward yourself after a hectic day. For more info head to my website (link under my bio) or drop me a DM on here or email me paola@thetinyitalian.com #cookinglife #cookingday #selfcareeveryday #selfcareaccount #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter #onlinecookingclass #cookingcommunity
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Sharing your food around the table with your loved ones is one of cooking greatest gifts.
So by eliminating cooking with love you’re also eliminating those connections.
The last few years has taught many of us what really is important and no matter how busy life gets it’s important to not take for granted those around us and spend time where we can… cos life is sometimes a little bit too short to spend time worrying about the sh*t that really doesn’t matter in life.
Love should always come first.
Paola ❤️
#eatatthetable #eatingathome #cookingathomeisfun #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #sharingfood #makingconnections
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
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Follow
Sharing your food around the table with your loved ones is one of cooking greatest gifts. So by eliminating cooking with love you’re also eliminating those connections. The last few years has taught many of us what really is important and no matter how busy life gets it’s important to not take for granted those around us and spend time where we can… cos life is sometimes a little bit too short to spend time worrying about the sh*t that really doesn’t matter in life. Love should always come first. Paola ❤️ #eatatthetable #eatingathome #cookingathomeisfun #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #sharingfood #makingconnections
4 days ago
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@thetinyitalian

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This is your invitation to come join the best online self care cooking community on the planet.
SAUCY SOCIETY
It’s a space for you to intentionally take part in fun delicious mindful self care cooking. It’s a space to help rediscover your cooking mojo and transform your cooking relationship. When you are busy it’s hard to find time for yourself. However when you change your mindset about something you do everyday I.e. cooking, you can turn what feels like a chore into the self care you need to reward yourself after a hectic day. 
For more info head to my website (link under my bio) or drop me a DM on here or email me paola@thetinyitalian.com
#cookinglife #cookingday #selfcareeveryday #selfcareaccount #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter #onlinecookingclass #cookingcommunity
thetinyitalian
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Follow
This is your invitation to come join the best online self care cooking community on the planet. SAUCY SOCIETY It’s a space for you to intentionally take part in fun delicious mindful self care cooking. It’s a space to help rediscover your cooking mojo and transform your cooking relationship. When you are busy it’s hard to find time for yourself. However when you change your mindset about something you do everyday I.e. cooking, you can turn what feels like a chore into the self care you need to reward yourself after a hectic day. For more info head to my website (link under my bio) or drop me a DM on here or email me paola@thetinyitalian.com #cookinglife #cookingday #selfcareeveryday #selfcareaccount #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter #onlinecookingclass #cookingcommunity
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
Sharing your food around the table with your loved ones is one of cooking greatest gifts.
So by eliminating cooking with love you’re also eliminating those connections.
The last few years has taught many of us what really is important and no matter how busy life gets it’s important to not take for granted those around us and spend time where we can… cos life is sometimes a little bit too short to spend time worrying about the sh*t that really doesn’t matter in life.
Love should always come first.
Paola ❤️
#eatatthetable #eatingathome #cookingathomeisfun #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #sharingfood #makingconnections
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
Sharing your food around the table with your loved ones is one of cooking greatest gifts. So by eliminating cooking with love you’re also eliminating those connections. The last few years has taught many of us what really is important and no matter how busy life gets it’s important to not take for granted those around us and spend time where we can… cos life is sometimes a little bit too short to spend time worrying about the sh*t that really doesn’t matter in life. Love should always come first. Paola ❤️ #eatatthetable #eatingathome #cookingathomeisfun #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #sharingfood #makingconnections
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SAVE THIS RECIPE WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF SEXY SELF CARE COOKING. 
This dish not only slaps in tonnes of flavour it’s the perfect delicious comforting reward after a busy day. 
It’s an easy and simple recipe to follow which is what we need after a busy day.  You need to try it if you enjoy these ingredients:
Peas
Spinach
Leeks
Pancetta
Gnocchi 
Lemon
Mascarpone (you can use any cream cheese)
Using @martini and @parmigianoreggianouk to make sure that this dish taste absolutely banging. And it really does. 
Plus my flat mates @microplaneintl made sure that I  only added the lemon zest and not the pith which can be bitter and affect the flavour of the dish. Everyone needs to get one. 
Anywhere enjoy guys. 
Follow for more self care cooking recipe ideas. 
#easyrecipesathome #gnocchirecipe #sweetpeas #spinachrecipes #martini #parmesanoreggiano #selfcaretip #wellnessgoals #cookwithlove #nostresscooking #easycookingathome #italiancooking #cookingcommunity #italianfoodblogger #cookingschool #onlinecookingclass #recipevideos
thetinyitalian
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SAVE THIS RECIPE WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF SEXY SELF CARE COOKING. This dish not only slaps in tonnes of flavour it’s the perfect delicious comforting reward after a busy day. It’s an easy and simple recipe to follow which is what we need after a busy day. You need to try it if you enjoy these ingredients: Peas Spinach Leeks Pancetta Gnocchi Lemon Mascarpone (you can use any cream cheese) Using @martini and @parmigianoreggianouk to make sure that this dish taste absolutely banging. And it really does. Plus my flat mates @microplaneintl made sure that I only added the lemon zest and not the pith which can be bitter and affect the flavour of the dish. Everyone needs to get one. Anywhere enjoy guys. Follow for more self care cooking recipe ideas. #easyrecipesathome #gnocchirecipe #sweetpeas #spinachrecipes #martini #parmesanoreggiano #selfcaretip #wellnessgoals #cookwithlove #nostresscooking #easycookingathome #italiancooking #cookingcommunity #italianfoodblogger #cookingschool #onlinecookingclass #recipevideos
5 days ago
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3/5
Cooking can calm your mind.
However for some cooking can be so stressful and l may actively avoid it as it feels too much to do after a long busy day.
However over the years I have practised fun mindful cooking. Yes I did say Fun. 😂💃🏻
It takes time but it’s all about changing your mindset and attitude when it comes to cooking. Plus there are some practises that can help to calm your mind down and reduce the stress cooking can cause you. 
Instead of feeling like a chore it can help you  relax after a long busy day. It can help you focus on something else and forget about everything you have had to deal with that day. Plus you get to reward yourself with a delicious meal cooked with love. It’s the best feeling after a crazy busy day.
Working on something fun and helpful for you, but if you currently find cooking difficult or stressful would you mind sharing in the comment lor Dm me what is the main thing that makes it difficult for you. And I’ll take that into consideration when putting my new project together.
We will get this nation with love and your input will help make that change. 
#selfcaretip #cookinglove #mindfulcooking #selfcarecooking #wellnesslifestyle #busymomlife #businessownerlife #eatbetterfeelbetter #cookwithlove #cookingteacher #selfcareeveryday #selfcarehacks #selflovematters #mindfulnessmatters
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
Cooking can calm your mind. However for some cooking can be so stressful and l may actively avoid it as it feels too much to do after a long busy day. However over the years I have practised fun mindful cooking. Yes I did say Fun. 😂💃🏻 It takes time but it’s all about changing your mindset and attitude when it comes to cooking. Plus there are some practises that can help to calm your mind down and reduce the stress cooking can cause you. Instead of feeling like a chore it can help you relax after a long busy day. It can help you focus on something else and forget about everything you have had to deal with that day. Plus you get to reward yourself with a delicious meal cooked with love. It’s the best feeling after a crazy busy day. Working on something fun and helpful for you, but if you currently find cooking difficult or stressful would you mind sharing in the comment lor Dm me what is the main thing that makes it difficult for you. And I’ll take that into consideration when putting my new project together. We will get this nation with love and your input will help make that change. #selfcaretip #cookinglove #mindfulcooking #selfcarecooking #wellnesslifestyle #busymomlife #businessownerlife #eatbetterfeelbetter #cookwithlove #cookingteacher #selfcareeveryday #selfcarehacks #selflovematters #mindfulnessmatters
6 days ago
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4/5
LETS GET THE NATION COOKING WITH LOVE. 
My mission is to help this nation of busy people to slow down where possible. Help transform their cooking relationship so that they can embrace the joys of mindful  home cooking as an easy accessible fun source of self care.
From personal experience when you’re busy running your own business or your job is a priority for you it can be difficult to make time for yourself.  Whatever your body and mind needs.
Unfortunately that doesn’t get you anywhere good. You just get into a deeper hole of ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘that won’t make a difference really’ or ‘I can’t make time for myself’. Cooking food becomes harder. You start to resent it, stresses you out and bring bouts of overwhelm. 
I know because I was that person. On many occasions. When I worked in a corporate environment and when trying to build my own business. It’s easy to forget what’s more important and that’s your happiness, health and joy. 
There are so many waysto bring wellness into your life, but cooking is what really changed my life and I’m here to help you too if you want to easily translate your love of food at home. Lose your unhealthy emotions with cooking and instead create a positive fun relationship.
This post is filled with recipes to hopefully inspire you to want to cook a meal that makes you feel good this coming week. I know it can’t be easy every day but making a small step in the right direction makes all the difference to how you feel. 
Sign up to my free newsletter for more mindful self care cooking tips and inspo. Link in bio. 
Paola
#homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter #selfcarelove #mindfulcooking #wellnesstips
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
LETS GET THE NATION COOKING WITH LOVE. My mission is to help this nation of busy people to slow down where possible. Help transform their cooking relationship so that they can embrace the joys of mindful home cooking as an easy accessible fun source of self care. From personal experience when you’re busy running your own business or your job is a priority for you it can be difficult to make time for yourself. Whatever your body and mind needs. Unfortunately that doesn’t get you anywhere good. You just get into a deeper hole of ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘that won’t make a difference really’ or ‘I can’t make time for myself’. Cooking food becomes harder. You start to resent it, stresses you out and bring bouts of overwhelm. I know because I was that person. On many occasions. When I worked in a corporate environment and when trying to build my own business. It’s easy to forget what’s more important and that’s your happiness, health and joy. There are so many waysto bring wellness into your life, but cooking is what really changed my life and I’m here to help you too if you want to easily translate your love of food at home. Lose your unhealthy emotions with cooking and instead create a positive fun relationship. This post is filled with recipes to hopefully inspire you to want to cook a meal that makes you feel good this coming week. I know it can’t be easy every day but making a small step in the right direction makes all the difference to how you feel. Sign up to my free newsletter for more mindful self care cooking tips and inspo. Link in bio. Paola #homecookingisthebest #cookwithlove #eatbetterfeelbetter #selfcarelove #mindfulcooking #wellnesstips
1 week ago
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5/5
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