Broccoli Rabe is the new Kale

Kale is trendy and popular while boosting health benefits.....Broccoli Rabe does the same and is crazy delicious...I'm putting it on the map!  Also known as Rapini, this dish reminds me of my Italian Father from NY....partly b/c he taught me to LOVE this dish and partly because he says Broccoli Rabe way cooler than me.  The original dish uses sausage but I wanted to make it healthier (plus, I always have chicken in the house).

The leaves and stem of this vegetable have a distinct flavor that you will come to adore....they become fragrant as soon as they hit the heat! This dish is relatively low in fat, few ingredients make it conducive to weeknight cooking and leftovers are great for lunch the next day.

Put Pavarotti on Pandora, pour yourself a glass of Chianti and let's all fall in love with Broccoli Rabe!

Here you go...if you cook often you can follow the pics and short instructions

For a more detailed recipe, click below

Click here for a Printable Version

Here is what you need....Olive oil, garlic, chicken broth, flour, 

chicken cutlets, orecchiette pasta,  broccoli rabe, and all purpose flour 

To avoid using 2 cutting boards begin by cutting 1 inch off the bottom stems 

from the Rabe, discard, and roughly chop the rest in 1-2 inch chunks.

Note, the leaves and stems are edible! 

Rinse well in a colander.  Leave aside to drain until ready to add to dish. 

Start by peeling and chopping about 12 cloves of garlic 

 Over medium heat, sauté, 4-5 Tablespoons Olive oil, about 10 cranks of freshly 

ground black pepper and your chopped garlic 

 I cut 2 large chicken cutlets into strips on the horizontal, see below, 

and coat lightly in flour, salt and pepper

Add the Broccoli Rabe to the pan when your garlic is a light golden color

(be careful if Rabe is a little wet...it will cause the oil to spit a little at you)

 Once the Rabe is wilted, add to one side so you can 

cook the chicken 

 Add the chicken to the pan in a single layer. 

Cook each side for a few minutes, it will turn white with a 

light golden color.  Flip and cook the other side.  

 If you need to cook additional chicken, add the cooked cutlets 

to the rabe and continue cooking in a single layer.  

 Once the chicken is cooked, mix everything together and add 

1/2 cup chicken broth 

 Toss with cooked pasta (orecchiette or bow ties) and add freshly grated parmesan cheese

This is a good place to add a few pinches of kosher salt

and a few cranks of black pepper

 Serve family style right out of the pan with extra parmesan 

and some crusty bread