3077. GARLIC and LEMON BROCCOLI RABE with BACON LARDONS

serves 3-4


1 bunch broccoli rabe
4-5 slices thick cut bacon
4 cloves garlic, minced
juice of 1/2 lemon

zest of 1/4 lemon
pinch red pepper flakes
salt and pepper, to taste

First, bring a pot of water to a boil and add int he broccoli rabe. Let the broccoli blanch for 2-3 minutes, then remove and rinse with very cold water, to stop the cooking process, then drain all of the water from the broccoli and pat dry.

In a large pan, cook your bacon over medium-high heat, for 6-8 minutes or so, until crispy. Remove with a slotted spatula onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Remove all but 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the pan (and reserve the rest for later - I like to keep excess bacon fat in the fridge to use later for extra crispy home fries) and add in the broccoli rabe (alternatively, you can just use olive oil in place of the bacon/bacon fat). Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, then add in the garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, for another 2-3 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and the broccoli is tender. Taste, and add salt and pepper as desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Sydney Kramer, The Crepes of Wrath, May 16, 2012