| Friday, December 15, 2006 |
| My favorite vegetable |
I saw a cartoon the other day depicting a woman carrying a pizza box with the caption, "Life's too short to eat rice cakes." My initial thought was, "You go, girl." But then it occurred to me -- surely there are people out there who purchase and consume rice cakes not because they're considered a "diet food" (I mentally lump them in with the 1970s-vintage "diet plates" consisting of a plain hamburger patty and a scoop of cottage cheese), but because they find their taste and texture delicious. Rice cake enjoyers of America, do not be ashamed of your preferences! (Unless, of course, you're eating them like this, which is just kind of sad.)
I say this because one of my top 10 favorite foods is the much-maligned broccoli. I eat it at least two or three times a week. Whether it's steamed, sauteed or stir-fried, I love it. A lot of people find that strange. Remember when the first President Bush declared how much he hated the vegetable? Those were dark, lonely days for broccoli aficionados.
Recently, "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno ate his first vegetable since -- I kid you not -- the late 1960s. His choice? Broccoli. According to the web site BadTipper.com, in the past, picky Leno has expected underpaid wage slaves to extract the offending vegetable from his food selections.
For all the broccoli fans out there, here is a favorite recipe for you to try. It serves 2-3 people, depending on how hungry they are.
Gemelli with Broccoli and Peppers
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups broccoli florets
1/4 cup vegetable broth (I like Better Than Bouillon)
3 cups cooked gemelli pasta
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil. Saute the bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and pepper flakes; cook, stirring, until the garlic is lightly browned, about 1 minute. Add the broccoli and broth; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, 2-3 minutes. Stir in the gemelli; cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute longer. Serve, sprinkled with the cheese. |
posted by 125records @ 3:34 PM  |
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| 4 Comments: |
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I love steamed vegetables. Particularly brocolli.
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I love broccoli! Actually, I like most vegetables, but broccoli tops the list.
But rice cakes? Nah.
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That picture of "Mexican pizza" feels almost like an ethnic slur! Those Mexicans, they make pizza on rice cakes! (Um, shouldn't Mexican pizza be on a tortilla?)
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I positively LOVE broccoli. Cooked (any method). It's one of my favorite foods - not just vegetables. But raw broccoli, I cannot abide, no matter how much ranch dip I dunk it in (and those florets hold lots of sour-cream-based why-bother-with-the-veggies-at-all veggie dip). Among our favorite ways with broccoli is to steam it and toss with whole wheat spaghetti, toasted pine nuts, olive oil, a pinch of red pepper flakes and plenty of grated parmesan. Yum. I like rice cakes too, plain. But not like I like broccoli.
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Name: Sue
Home: San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
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I love steamed vegetables. Particularly brocolli.