Broccoli Rabe pasta with sun dried tomatoes

Chop sundried tomatoes (dried, not in oil or water) and cover with water, about a half of a cup combined.

Sun dried tomatoes before chopping

chopped sundried tomatoes soaking in water

Let sit while everything else is prepared.

Broccoli rabe, whole

Chop the broccoli rabe into 1 - 3 inch pieces

Broccoli rabe chopped

1. Boil water & add about 1 tsp salt (to salt the pasta)
2. Drain the sun dried tomato water into the pasta water for extra flavor, saving the tomatoes to cook in the oil (it is okay if a few escape into the pasta water!)
3. Add pasta & cook for 5 minutes
4. Add the broccoli rabe, return to a boil and continue cooking for about 5 minutes.
5. Mince garlic to make about 1 tablespoon
6. In a small sauce pan, heat olive oil, about 1/2 cup or more depending on your preference.
7. Before the oil is hot, add garlic and sun dried tomatoes  and lightly cook the garlic so that it does not turn brown.

Garlic and sun dried tomatoes in oil

1. Drain pasta and broccoli rate, combine with garlic oil.
2. Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese, hot pepper powder and cracked peppercorns. 

Broccoli rabe pasta with sun dried tomatoes

This goes nicely with a simple garden salad.

Ready to eat!

Looks good mom!

I can't wait to eat!

Simple salad: lettuce, radishes and tomatoes

Little lettuce cleaner!