Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Bacon, and Bread Crumbs Recipe

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Bacon, and Bread Crumbs Recipe

  • 1 pound broccoli rabe, tough ends removed, cut into 1-inch lengths
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
  • 4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4 inch strips
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried red-pepper flakes
  • 1 pound orecchiette
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  1. In a medium pot of boiling, salted water, cook the broccoli rabe until almost done, about 3 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
  2. In a large nonstick frying pan, heat 1/4 cup of the oil over moderate heat. Add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove. Wipe out the pan.
  3. In the same pan, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all the fat. Heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil in the frying pan over moderately low heat. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the broccoli rabe and cook, stirring occasionally, until just done, about 3 minutes longer.
  4. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the orecchiette until done, about 15 minutes. Drain and toss with the bread crumbs, bacon, broccoli rabe, and salt.
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