Tomato, Broccoli, Chicken Pasta with Pine Nuts and Parmesan

Truth told, I've been an utter bum when it comes to trying new recipes lately. Firstly, I've been busy as hell and secondly, Caitlin and I have been cutting back dinners with less carbo kind of meals. Long weekends have been far and few lately but my little munchkin has now given cooking a try or two. 

This recipe was from one of those free sample cookbooks that I've received recently and truth told, it looks simple enough for her to try and so, she's given it a shot. The only thing I've prohibited her from right now is to use a knife. We've got plenty of time for that.

So, here's a simple dish which I suggested she used steamed shredded chicken as I'm not a fan of pure vegetarian pastas.

 

INGREDIENTS:

300-400g fettuccine blanched

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 chopped onions

3 cloves garlic, chopped2x400g cans crushed/chopped tomatoes

1/2 cup tomato paste

1 1/2 tsp sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

1 bunch of broccoli, blanched

1 handful of fresh basil leaves

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 tbsps toasted pine nuts

2 cups of steamed, shredded chicken

2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil

PREP:

1. In a large pot, boil salted water and add pasta. Cook (stirring frequently) until al dente.
2. Two minutes before pasta is cooked, add broccoli to boiling water to cook with pasta. Drain and set aside pasta.
3. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water
4. To make tomato sauce, heat olive oil in a large frying pan on medium heat and sauté onion and garlic until soft for about 10 minutes.
5. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and sugar; and simmer for 10-15 minutes until sauce has reduced and thicker.
6. Stir through extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
7. Toss pasta and broccoli with tomato sauce, reserved pasta water and basil leaves. Divide between bowls and top with more basil, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.

The verdict??? My little girl can bloody cook!!!! The taste was just right with the right amount of tomato tanginess without it been overtly sour and the pine nuts was a nice touch to the taste.

I can soon relinquish her with the cooking duties. LOL!!!!