CAVATELLI AND BROCCOLI

When I was in Jersey last week I visited with my high school good buddy Nunzie......she had just had major surgery for a tumor where a tumor should never be but that didn't stop her from being at the kitchen island frying up chicken cutlets when I got there for dinner...
She did order out for her favorite thing to eat and that is Cavatelli with Broccoli....

I think if she was given a choice between Cavatelli and Filet Mignon she would take the Cavatelli!!

It was so tasty that I had multiple servings... When I got back home I had to try and re-create it.

I have to say it was a big success.....as me and the Boss have decided we each need to lose an extra person we are attempting to eat a little healthier.....I said a little!

Here's how I made it....

I took 1 small shallot and 1 clove of garlic and diced them very small....

I then sauteed them in a little olive oil....when they were softened I added a half a head of broccoli....just the florets...we don't like any part of the stem.

I let that cook a bit then added about 1/2 cup of chicken broth....

While this was cooking I boiled salted water and cooked a 13oz. package of Celentano Cavatelli according to the package directions.....

I heated up the grill and cooked 3 thinly sliced chicken breasts.....I have an indoor grill but a grill pan will work just as well....I also marinated the chicken in a little Italian dressing before grilling....

when the pasta was cooked I drained it then added it to the broccoli mixture also adding a little bit more chicken broth....
Let this cook about ten minutes for the broccoli to become soft and the pasta to soak up some of the chicken broth.....

Season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper....

slice the chicken breasts into thin strips and add to the pasta and broccoli....

Add some freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese and if you like a tad of lemon juice.....

Stir all together and enjoy!!