Broccolini with smoked speck, garlic and chilli

Name: Broccolini with smoked speck, garlic and chilli
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 3 bunches broccolini, trimmed; 150g quality speck, cut into lardons, or use pancetta; 100ml extra virgin olive oil; 3-5 cloves garlic, sliced; 3 eschalots (golden shallots), thickly sliced in half rounds; 1 tsp dried chilli flakes; 60g grana padano parmesan; 

August 7, 2013

easyTime:< 30 minsServes:4

This is a wintry way to dress up broccolini. The speck adds a robust smoky flavour and richness that really clicks for me on a chilly night.

Ingredients

3 bunches broccolini, trimmed
150g quality speck, cut into lardons, or use pancetta
100ml extra virgin olive oil
3-5 cloves garlic, sliced
3 eschalots (golden shallots), thickly sliced in half rounds
1 tsp dried chilli flakes
60g grana padano parmesan

Method

1. Cook the broccolini in a large pot of salted water for four or five minutes or until cooked. Drain, reserving a little of the cooking water.

2. In a large frying pan, cook the speck over a high heat for three to four minutes until it starts to brown — you shouldn’t need oil at this stage as the fat will render out of the speck.

3. Add the oil, garlic and eschalots and cook for a further three minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant and the eschalots have softened and started to take on some colour.

4. Add the hot broccolini, the chilli flakes and a splash of the cooking water. Toss through over the heat for another minute or so, reducing any liquid and coating the broccolini well. Pile on to a serving plate, spoon over the pan liquid, grate over the parmesan and serve.