View source for Penne a la Broccoli Recipe

One of the fastest and easiest main dishes to make. It's full of flavor and it also has the cancer-fighting protection of broccoli. Serves 4.

==Broccoli Ingredients:==

*16 oz penne or other hearty pasta, uncooked
*Large bunch of broccoli
*1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
*Several cloves of garlic, chopped or mashed
*1/2 cup water
*Salt to taste
*Red pepper flakes (optional)
*Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
===Preparation===
#Cook the pasta in rapidly boiling water until al dente.
#Trim the ends of the broccoli stems and cut off the flowers. 
#Peel the outer fibrous layer off the main stalks and cut the stalks into bite-sized pieces.
#Separate the flower of the broccoli into bite-sized pieces.
#Place the broccoli in a colander and rinse under cold running water. 
#Put it in a saucepan with the olive oil, garlic, water and salt. 
#Bring to a boil, cover tightly, and let steam until the broccoli is bright green and very crunchy-tender - no more than 5 minutes. 
#Remove the lid and boil off most of the remaining liquid.
#Toss the broccoli with cooked pasta. 
#Top with red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese, if desired.