Broccoli Pasta/ Easy and Quick Broccoli Pasta

We have already seen the health benefits of Broccoli earlier also. This is one vegetable packed with many essential nutrients. It is a rich source of Vitamin A, C, K, Iron, Zinc, Prosperous, and phyto nutrient. Phyto Nutrient lowers the risk of developing Diabetes, heart diseases and some particular type of cancers. It is an essential vegetable which we must use as often as possible in our cooking. We will see a dish made with this wonderful vegetable with Pasta for the Pasta lovers. It is a very easy and quick to make dish

Ingredients:

For cooking Broccoli:

Broccoli Florets – 1 ½ cups (without the stems)

Olive Oil – 1 tsp

Salt – 1 inch

For Broccoli Pasta:

Olive Oil – 1 tsp

Butter – 1 tbsp

Finely chopped Garlic – 1 tbsp

Maida (All Purpose Flour) – 1 tbsp

Mixed Herb – 1 tsp

Milk – 500 ml

Cooked Sweet Corn – ½ cup

Fresh Basil – 8 to 10 leaves (chopped)

Black Pepper Powder – – to suit taste

Chilli Flakes – 1/8 tsp

Grated Nutmeg – a tiny pinch

Parmesan Cheese – 1 tbsp

Salt – to suit one’s taste

For Garnishing:

Parmesan Cheese, Chilli Flakes, Basil

Method:

Boil water with ½ tsp of Salt in a large pot. Add the Pasta and cook it as per the instructions available in the pocket of the Pasta. When the Pasta is almost done, strain the water and keep the Pasta aside.

Heat 1 tsp of Olive Oil in a pan. Add the Broccoli and sauté for a few minutes. Sprinkle little water. Cover the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes stirring them once or twice in between. You can cook the Broccoli soft or crunchy as per your choice. Transfer it to a bowl.

In the same pan, heat the Oil and Butter. Roast Garlic in it for a minute in low medium flame. Add the all Purpose Flour and cook in low flame for a minute. Add mixed Herb. Add Milk little by little stirring all the time to prevent any lump formation of the flour. When this white sauce turns thick, add the Broccoli, cooked Corn, Basil, Pepper Powder, Chilli Flakes and Pasta. Mix them very well. Cover the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes in low medium flame. Add Salt, grated Nutmeg. Add Parmesan Cheese. Mix well. The tempting Broccoli Pasta is ready. Garnish with Parmesan Cheese, Chilli Flakes and Basil.

Serve hot.

Note:

Broccoli Pasta turns thick when it cools.   So, if you are packing it for kid’s lunch, make the white Sauce thinner by adding more milk.