Il Cucinologo
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Pasta with Salmon and Broccoli

17/11/2023

I can provide you with a recipe to prepare a delicious pasta dish with salmon and broccoli in the Italian style. It will be a creamy dish, with a perfect balance between the delicate flavors of the salmon and the texture of the broccoli.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of pasta (penne or farfalle work well with this recipe)
  • 200 g of smoked salmon, cut into strips
  • 300 g of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 200 ml of cooking cream or, for a lighter version, evaporated milk
  • 50 ml of dry white wine (optional)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano (optional)
  • A pinch of chili flakes (if you like a spicy touch)
  • Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the broccoli for about 4-5 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.

  2. In the same water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve a cup of the cooking water.

  3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, lightly sauté the chopped garlic in a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add the smoked salmon and let it flavor for a few minutes.

  4. Deglaze with the white wine if using and allow the alcohol to evaporate.

  5. Add the broccoli to the skillet with the salmon and stir gently.

  6. Pour in the cream (or evaporated milk) and a little of the pasta cooking water to make the sauce more fluid. Cook for a few minutes until everything is well combined. Adjust salt and pepper.

  7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce, stir in the grated cheese if desired, and mix well so the pasta absorbs the salmon and broccoli flavors.

  8. If you like a spicy touch, add a pinch of chili flakes.

  9. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh touch of color and flavor.

Trivia

Many Italian dishes that combine salmon and pasta use ingredients like cream to create a creamy sensation. In northern Italy in particular, the use of dairy in sauces is very common, thanks to the greater availability of these products.