Sunday, January 22, 2012

Meatless Monday: Campanelle and Broccoli with Gravy

Today's recipe is a little something I whipped up on a whim with what I already had readily available in my kitchen. I wanted to use the broccoli and pasta with a light white sauce, but instead concocted this gravy-like sauce that was more tan than white. It tasted pretty darn good anyway, akin to the type of gravy my grandma used for the Swedish meatballs and rice dish she used to make (she may still make it, but it's been a while since I had it with her!). I used beef stock, but you can use vegetable stock to keep it vegetarian and it will taste just as good. The added white wine, lemon juice, and touch of light cream make this especially savory. I also used campanelle pasta- which are pictured below -just because they have such a delicate and unique shape, and are ideal for sauces such as these. I hope you like!

Campanelle Pasta and Broccoli in Gravy
makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1 package campanelle pasta
2 cups broccoli florets 

Gravy:

1 cup water
1 cup vegetable or beef stock
1/4 cup white wine
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp flour
2 tbsp light cream
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp black pepper

Cook the pasta in a large pot according to instructions. Lightly steam or blanch the broccoli for about 5 minutes or until slightly tender. In a wide frying pan, saute the garlic in the olive oil over low heat until fragrant. Add the oregano and parsley, and cook while stirring for one minute, then add the white wine. Allow the wine to evaporate into the garlic, then add the cup of broth and bring to a high simmer. Meanwhile, whisk the flour into the cup of water, then add to the broth mixture and bring to a boil, stirring to make sure no clumps form. Bring the heat back down to medium-low and stir in the lemon juice, cream and black pepper; add the broccoli and cover, cooking over medium-low heat for about 5 more minute or until the broccoli is soft enough to your liking. Add all the sauce and broccoli to the pasta and coat. Serve hot with extra pepper and a lemon wedge if desired.



such a pretty shape

This recipe is great for kids and easy to make. For babies too young for big bites of pasta and broccoli like this, here's a simple little recipe:

2-4 steamed broccoli florets
1/4 cup cooked small-shaped pasta
1 tbsp gravy or butter or olive oil
Sprinkle of Parm or Romano cheese

Mix together and serve to your little one! Yum-yum!

Her expression may not exactly say it, but she did enjoy this dish

Broccoli is obviously a well-known healthy food, but since I never really talked about it on here, I'll focus on that today. It's known as a "super food" due to its richness in vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and fiber, and is also simply chock full of green goodness. An incredibly versatile food, broccoli is anti-cancerous, anti-oxidating, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying. That's a lot for one plant! Eating half a cup a day or at least 2 cups of broccoli a week dramatically lowers your risk of cancer. These factors just add to it already being one of my favorite foods, and Lily's for that matter! It is one of the few vegetables she will happily eat!

14 comments:

  1. Great blog. I can learn a thing or two from you :)
    Following you now. Check out my blog: diaperderby.blogspot.com

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  2. Looks delicious! Thanks for stopping by Haute Mom Welcome Wednesday blog hop last week. You were chosen to be this week's guest hostess where your blog will be spotlighted. Please email me at mizkel69@AOL.com if you are interested. Hope to hear from you!

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  3. Hi! I'm Lisa and your newest follower from bloggy moms. I'm a real food enthusiast (not sure what else to call it, lol). If you have time, stop by my blog for creative living and eating :) I look forward to following along.
    http://WWW.artsymomma365.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello, My name is Jamie and I am looking for Cathy R. Please see comments under your January 20th blog. Please help me find her if you can.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Please help me find Cathy!!!! I know she will be thrilled and have a big smile on her beautiful face when she hears my name......no I'm not stuck up....I just know she loves me. Ask her!!! We are probably close to opposites but it didn't matter then.....it won't now. Oh please ck these comments! And thank you.....sorry to take up you guys space but this is important....don't you agree???? Haven't seen her in more than 30 years....but I'm still crazy about her. Thanks ya'll!

    Jamie

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  6. OK, yes I am trying to get your attention. More comments....and BTW...I love your site. I've actually learned a lot just looking it over while I wait for your response. I think you are her daughter....am I right? You look a lot like her. I am getting so excited.... You must think me crazy.....yeah I kind of am ...... But I'm sincere and really wanting to talk to my pal.

    Thanks Jessica for letting me blab away on your blog. I didn't even know what a blog was until this week.....yeah....not savy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Jamie, thank you. Sorry for not responding right away, but I wanted to be sure my mom actually knew you before giving her info away to you. She told me to tell you to look her up on Facebook: Catherine Rowe Pherson. And, yes, I am her eldest daughter. My mom is a very memorable person, I guess :)

      I just have to know- how did you come to find my blog if you don't even know how to find my mom?

      Delete
    2. Jessica...thank you so much. Don't blame you for checking up on me. And yes, she is memorable. Started to search for her after finding letters the other day in my attic...made me laugh and cry. Found her blog "Catherines Cache" and her blog follows yours....thus I found you. I left messages on hers too but knowing it was an older blog was unsure if she still checked it. Tell her to take a look.

      Don't know anything at all about Facebook....I don't spend much time on the net. But I will give it a whirl. Just in case....would you have her email me at jamie2115@gmail.com

      Thanks so much! You have a beautiful daughter! Enjoy!

      Yippeeeeee!!!!!

      Delete
  7. PS....I am going to tell my younger buddies with young kids about your great blog. Best of Luck!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jamie :) I let my mom know your email, so you should receive something from her soon.

      Delete
  8. this looks so yummy! I am a new follower from the curious curious wisdom
    http://7kidsandcounting.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. This looks so good! I have a broccoli dish in my crock pot right now that smells delicious.

    Hi from the hop! I'm at http://www.momsandmunchkins.ca/

    ReplyDelete
  10. This recipe sounds so yummy! I am going to make it in the next few days. Thanks so much.

    I'm visiting from the CyberConnect blog hop. http://resully.com/blog
    Renee

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! I love comments and always want to know what you think :)

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