Christina's Deli-Style Pasta Salad

from Better Homes and Gardens

1/2 of a 16-ounce package (about 2 cups) frozen cheese-filled tortellini or one 9-ounce package refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1 1/2 cups broccoli flowerets
1 large carrot, thinly sliced
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium red or yellow sweet pepper, cut into thin strips

In a large saucepan cook pasta according to package directions, except omit any salt and oil. Add broccoli and carrot the last 3 minutes of cooking; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again.

Meanwhile, for dressing, in a screw-top jar combine the vinegar, oil, Italian seasoning, mustard, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cover and shake well. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine the pasta mixture and sweet pepper. Shake dressing. Pour the dressing over pasta mixture; toss gently to coat. I also mixed in some leftover chimichurri sauce and it was delicious, so I think that pesto would be a great addition if you have it around.

Christina's Spinach and Broccoli Stuffed Pizza Pie

from Picky Palate

1 recipe pizza dough of choice
1 Cup ricotta cheese
¼ Cup grated parmesan cheese, like Kraft
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 Cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped
2 Cups fresh broccoli florets, steamed until fork tender, about 3 minutes in boiling water
Pinch of salt
½ Cup Roasted red bell peppers, from can or fresh
1 ½ Cup shredded mozarella cheese
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Spread and press one piece of dough into the bottom and sides of a 9-9 ½ inch round cake or tart pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. (I used a 9 ½ inch deep quiche pan with a removable bottom that worked perfectly) In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta and parmesan cheese until well combined. Spread into pressed pizza dough.

Place olive oil into a medium skillet over medium heat. Saute spinach until wilted down, about 3 minutes. Place evenly over ricotta cheese layer. Place steamed broccoli florets over spinach and season with a pinch or two of kosher salt. Layer roasted red peppers, then mozzarella cheese over top. Press out remaining piece of dough and place over filling, tucking edges inside of pan. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian Seasoning. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cooked through.

Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan or cutting into wedges.

Christina's Roasted Broccoli

from Barefoot Contessa

Two large bunches of broccoli
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Pepper
4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
1 lemon
pine nuts (optional)
Parmesan cheese

Put the broccoli on a cookie sheet. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Now add 4 garlic cloves that are peeled and sliced and toss them in, too. Roast in the oven 20 to 25 minutes at 425 degrees, until crisp-tender and the tips of some of the florets are browned.

When it's done, take it out of the oven and zest a lemon over the broccoli, squeeze the lemon juice over the broccoli, add 1.5 Tbs more olive oil, 3 Tbs toasted pine nuts (optional), and 1/3 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Can also 2 Tbs julienned fresh basil (optional), but I left that out.

Christina's Broccoli, Red Pepper and Cheddar Chowder

from Epicurious

• 1 small head broccoli (1/2 pound)
• 1 large boiling potato (1/2 pound)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• l large garlic clove, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 6 oz sharp Cheddar, coarsely grated (1 1/2 cups)
  

Discard tough lower third of broccoli stem. Peel remaining stem and finely chop. Cut remaining broccoli into very small (1-inch) florets. Cook florets in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking, then drain. Reserve 3 cups cooking water for chowder.
Peel potato and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Cook potato, onion, bell pepper, broccoli stems, and garlic in butter in a 3- to 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add cumin, salt, pepper, and mustard and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add flour and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add reserved cooking water and simmer (partially covered), stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in cream and cheese and cook, stirring, until cheese is melted, then season with salt and pepper.
Purée about 2 cups of chowder in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids) and return to pot. Add florets and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes.

Lorri's Penne with Broccoli Flowers and Tumeric Cream

2 med. heads broccoli
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 lb penne
4 garlic cloves
3 tbsp Extra Virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4 c heavy cream
grated Parmesan

1. Cut broccoli into small flowerettes and boil until tender in non-salted water. (save the water)
2. Dry toast 1/4 cup pine nuts in a skillet
3. Cook penne to al dente in salted broccoli water
4. Saute minced garlic. When fragrant, add broccoli. Break the broccoli into smaller pieces while it is cooking. Add a little broccoli/pasta water if it gets too dry.
5. Add cream and turmeric.
6. Drain pasta and quickly add to sauce.
7. Sprinkle with pine nuts and cheese and serve immediately.