Broccoli Di Rape And Garlic Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 3 heads garlic, smashed and peeled
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• coarse salt, to taste (optional)
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste (optional)
• 9 cups water
• 2 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup ditalini or 3/4 cup other small shape pasta (i've used orzo with good results)
• 1 bunch broccoli raab, stems cut off,yellow and wilted leaves discarded,tops and leaves sliced across into 1/2 inch pieces
• fresh lemon juice, to taste
• freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving
• coarse salt, to taste (optional)
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste (optional)

Recipe

• 1 prepare garlic broth (can be made ahead and frozen if desired):.
• 2 cut the garlic cloves in half lengthwise and, if necessary, remove the green germ growing through the center.
• 3 in a medium saucepan, heat the oil over low heat.
• 4 stir in the garlic cloves and cook, stirring often, until the outside of the garlic is translucent and cloves are soft, about 20 minutes.
• 5 don't let the garlic brown.
• 6 pour in 9 cups water.
• 7 bring to a boil.
• 8 lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 40 minutes.
• 9 the garlic will be very tender.
• 10 to make the soup:.
• 11 in a medium saucepan, combine the garlic broth, salt, and pepper.
• 12 bring to a boil.
• 13 stir in the pasta and boil for 6 minutes.
• 14 add the broccoli di rape and return to a boil.
• 15 lower the heat and simmer until the broccoli di rape is tender, about 4 minutes.
• 16 remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice to taste.
• 17 check the seasoning and add salt and pepper, if necessary.
• 18 pass grated cheese at the table.