Broccoli and Bow Ties

Kosher salt

6 cups broccoli florets (3 heads)

2 Tbs. unsalted butter

2 Tbs. good olive oil

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 lemon, zested

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Box of Bow Tie pasta (1 lb)  cooked and cooled

Cook the broccoli for 3 minutes in a large pot of boiling salted water.  Remove the broccoli from the water with a slotted spoon immediately put in an ice bath.(Ice water in a bowl.  This stops the cooking process and keeps the bright green color)  Place in a large bowl and set aside. Meanwhile, in a small saute pan, heat the butter and oil and cook the garlic and lemon zest over medium-low heat for 1 minute.  Off the heat, add 2 tsp. salt, the pepper, and lemon juice and pour this over the broccoli and pasta.  Toss well.  Season to taste, sprinkle with the pine nuts and cheese, if using and serve.

To toast pine nuts, place them in a dry saute pan over medium-low heat and cook, tossing often, for about 5 minutes, until light brown.

One of Travis's favorite pastas.  Let's see do you think I like bow-tie pasta?  Make sure you do NOT cook the broccoli for more than 3 minutes.  Three minutes gives it perfect texture!