ITALIAN BROCCOLI SOUP WITH PASTA

      Title: ITALIAN BROCCOLI SOUP WITH PASTA
  Categories: Ethnic, Soups
       Yield: 6 Servings
  
       1 lg Bunch broccolli
       2 tb Olive oil
       2 lg Cloves garlic sliced thin
            Dried red pepper flakes
            To taste, dont overdo
       2 c  Chicken broth
     2/3 c  Tiny soup pasta( peperini )
            Salt and pepper
            Parmesan reggiano to taste
  
   Separate florets from stalks of broccoli. Chop stalks and cook in
   salted boiling water for 2 or 3 minutes. then add florets and cook 2
   minutes more or long enough that they turn dark green. Drain but
   reserve 2 cups cooking water ( only if you do not plan to use chicken
   broth ! ) Saute garlic and pepper flakes in olive oil until garlic
   starts to become golden. Add brocoli and stir to coat well with the
   oil. The florets should be crisp tender. Remove them with slotted
   spoon and set aside.Puree the remaining contents of the pan including
   the oil with a few onunces of the reserved florets. Bring the chicken
   stock to a boil with 1 cup of reserved brocoli water and add soup
   pasta. Cook for 5 minutes. add the garlic broccoli puree and cook 5
   more minutes. Keep adding a bit more broccoli water if soup is
   getting to thick. Finally add the reserved broccoli florets and heat
   through. serve with the cheese on the side. Good with a crusty bread
   and red wine to make a meal by itself.
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