Crispy Prosciutto & Broccoli Pasta

One of the things that I cook, that my friends have said is their favorite dish, is my chicken, broccoli, ziti.  There was once even a time, many, many years ago, when I arrived home to find a bag on my doorstep.  In it contained a bag of broccoli, a package of chicken and a box of pasta.  My friend, Jenn, had apparently planned on returning for dinner and I guess this was her way of requesting the dish. Why am I talking about that dish?  Well, I have grown tired of making it.  This dish is a nice play on the idea but with a different enough twist to keep me interested. 

 

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Ingredients:

1 lb broccoli florets

1 lb gemelli pasta (or any short pasta rotini, penne etc.)

3 T olive oil

3 oz prosciutto, sliced into strips

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 shallots, diced

1 C panko bread crumbs

Fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano for grating on top

2 T butter (optional but recommended)

Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Be sure to salt the water liberally (if you don’t salt water your pasta will not be seasoned).  Add pasta to water and cook according to package.  With 3 minutes left to go with the pasta, add broccoli florets to pot and cook with pasta.  Drain, reserving about a cup (I use a coffee mug) of cooking water and return pasta/broccoli to pot.

Meanwhile, heat 1 T oil in large skillet over medium/high.  Add prosciutto and cook until nice and crispy (about 5 min).  Remove from pan and set aside.

Return the same skillet to medium heat.  Add the remaining 2 T oil.  Add garlic & shallots. Cook just until garlic is fragrant (about 1-2 min).  Add breadcrumbs, Stir and continue to cook until crumbs are nicely toasted, about 2 minutes.

Place the pasta back on the heat on low/medium.  Add prosciutto and half the crumb mixture.  Add in reserved cooking water about ¼ C at a time until desired consistency.  If you are using butter, stir it in now.  Check for seasoning.  Add salt and pepper. 

To serve: Place pasta in bowls and top with remaining crumb mixture and freshly grated cheese.