Pasta with broccoli and cheek lard is a first course that will amaze you with its goodness and ease of preparation. Broccoli is a vegetable belonging to the large family of Cruciferae, very rich in important nutrients, and it is characterized by compact, firm florets of a beautiful bright green color and a very delicate flavor. Enhanced by the flavor and crunchiness of the pan-toasted cheek lard, it becomes the delicious condiment of a typical short pasta. The secret to obtaining such a tasty creaminess lies in blending a part of the already boiled broccoli and adding it in the final creaming phase. The garnish with freshly ground pepper and parmesan flakes will make everything even richer and more tasty. A simple and very quick recipe, perfect for any occasion, from a everyday family meal to an important festive lunch, which will delight adults and children. So let’s see how to prepare it in the best way.
Wash the broccoli, dry it and cut out the florets with the help of a knife (1).
Cut the cheek lard into strips (2).
Put the cheek lard (3) in a pre-heated pan and cook it, without adding other fats.
Meanwhile, boil the broccoli florets in boiling and lightly salted water, then drain (4), taking care to keep the cooking water aside.
When the cheek lard is golden and crunchy, remove it with a slotted spoon leaving its cooking fat in the pan (5).
Add a part of the boiled broccoli (6) and let them flavor for a few minutes.
In a kitchen mixer, collect the remaining broccoli, pour a drizzle of oil and blend everything until you will get a creamy and homogeneous mixture (7).
Boil the pasta in boiling salted water, then drain it al dente and pour it into the pan; add the broccoli cream (8) and stir everything by pouring the cooking water of the vegetables.
Complete with the crispy cheek lard (9), grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of pepper, mixing well.
Distribute the pasta on individual plates, garnish with a few flakes of parmesan cheese as desired and serve immediately (10).
It is advisable to prepare pasta with broccoli and cheek lard and enjoy it hot at the moment; however, if there is something left, it can be preserved in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours and heated a bit in a pan or microwave oven at the time of eating.