In this three part series, we share recipes from Tanya Bartolini’s new book, Blending The Cultures. Get your tastebuds around the final one.
Spaghetti with broccoli, chilli and garlic
(serves 8)
I often cook this at home. Similar versions are found in many Italian cookbooks but it was a long-time friend (and this book’s photographer) who inspired me to include this here. Many years ago, we sat at school discussing what type of pasta and pasta sauce we preferred. I remember her telling me it was her mum’s spaghetti with broccoli. I was surprised: not many kids say they love broccoli. I was also intrigued. Many years later, when I was trying to work out a different way to use broccoli, I remembered that conversation. This is the result.
If cooking for kids, omit the chilli.
I like to serve this with some grated lemon rind on the pasta, giving it a lovely fresh taste, and some grated parmesan cheese because… well, it really is essential to most pasta dishes.
Ingredients
2 small broccoli florets
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
1 small red chilli, deseeded and sliced thinly
500 g dried pasta
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus a little extra for dressing
1 tablespoon cooking salt
Grated parmesan cheese
Let’s start cooking
Prepare broccoli by cutting it into tiny florets small enough to fit into your mouth in one bite. Use the entire broccoli, including the stem.
Fill a large pot with tap water to the ¾ mark. Place the pot onto a high heat and bring water to the boil. When the water is boiling, add 1 tablespoon of cooking salt, the dried pasta and broccoli. Stir to ensure that the pasta does not stick to the pan or itself, and bring the water back to a rolling boil.
Whilst the pasta is cooking, fry garlic and chilli in olive oil over medium heat in a large frying pan for about 30 seconds. Turn off heat and leave the pan on the stovetop.
Continue to cook the pasta and broccoli until the pasta is cooked through. Use a coffee mug to reserve a cup of water when draining.
Tip the broccoli and pasta into the frying pan along with half of reserved pasta water. Turn the heat to medium/low and toss the pasta through the liquid, chilli and garlic. Cook for 1 minute or until combined. Transfer to a large serving bowl.
Although Tanya Bartolini spent fourteen years in accounting and finance, true satisfaction was always found in the kitchen. It wasn’t until the birth of her first son in 2012 that she realised what had seemed important before was no longer a priority and with that, Tanya decided to embrace her passion for food and family. In doing this, she has explored her family’s rich Italian history and written a book that shares her family’s precious recipes. Through her book, Blending The Cultures, featuring hearty recipes that blend the Italian and Australian way of living and eating, she hopes to encourage others to create memorable moments for themselves by cooking and sharing meals together. Tanya has also established a website – The Everyday Cook Network – as a forum for everyday cooks just like herself to share wholesome, simple and healthy cooking.
