Broccoli's cool younger brother

Since I had been gone for so long I figured it would it be in our best interest to make an easy dinner.  A recipe that is the equivalent of dipping my toes in the water before I jump into the pool.  On a side note, it is a myth that you need to wait 45 minutes before swimming after you eat.  You're welcome America!

When I was a kid I hated broccoli.. and squash but that is a different story. It was only within the past few years that I have grown to appreciate it's strange flavor. 

For you kids and parents of kids who hate don't like broccoli might I suggest broccoli's younger, leather jacket wearing, cool brother: broccoli rabe. It's a bitter green whose flavor might make your tongue's bitter sense pucker.  Since I love the bitter (IPA beer especially) and savory (bacon..booyah!) broccoli rabe is the sonnet to my Shakespeare, the symphony to my Beethoven.

I could digress into a diatribe about the recently discovered, at least me by me, bitter green; broccoli rabe, mustard green, collard green, dandelion, radicchio etc.. but I must limit this blog to a most recent recipe:  Spicy Sausage and Broccoli Rabe over Penne Pasta with Parmesan.

 The beauty of this meal is it's simplicity.  
What you need:
*Box of Penne or your favorite shaped pasta. 
*3 Tb. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
*16 oz. of Spicy Italian Sausage casing removed
*1 or 2 bunches Broccoli Rabe, chopped.
*4 cloves of garlic chopped.
(We love garlic!!! If you don't, I suppose you could limit it to 2 cloves or totally omit it if you want a sidelong glance from me!)
*A pinch or two of crushed red pepper
* Parmesan to taste (about 1/3 cup)

How to make it:

1.  Boil a stock pot of salted water.
2.  Add the Broccoli Rabe and cook in the water for 2-3 minutes.  Remove and set aside
*Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook to Al' Dente. 
3.  While the Pasta is cooking: Heat the oil over Med. High heat.  Add the sausage and brown.
4.  After the meat is browned, add the garlic and pepper and cook for about 2 minutes.
5.  After the garlic and pepper has been fused with the sausage add the Broccoli Rabe and stir to combine.
6.  When the Pasta is done cooking, strain it, (reserving a cup of cooking liquid in case you need it) and add to the sausage/rabe mixture.
7. Add the parmesan and reserved liquid until desired consistency is reached.

Again, the beauty of this meal is in it's simplicity.  Enjoy the bitter, rich flavor with your loved ones.  If you have kids use this as an opportunity to teach the them that broccoli rocks!