Rapini with Pine Nuts, Raisins and Crispy Garlic
This Sicilian inspired recipe for Rapini, aka broccoli rabe, is blanched to crisp perfection, then sautéed with extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, raisins and crispy garlic chips. It's a simple Italian side dish that's packed with flavor and only takes 20 minutes to make.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 260kcal
Ingredients
- Kosher salt as needed
- 1 bunch rapini (broccoli rabe) washed, ends trimmed and roughly chopped into 2-inch pieces
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic very thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup pine nuts toasted
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water up to a boil. Season generously with salt, then add the rapini to the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes, or until tender but still firm, then drain.
- While the greens are blanching, fill up a large bowl of ice water. Drain the rapini, then transfer to the ice bath to stop cooking immediately.
- Drain the broccoli rabe and squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until it turns golden and crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Add the chili flakes to the pan with the oil, then add the rapini and toss to combine.
- Season with salt to taste, then add the raisins and pine nuts and continue tossing until well combined and thoroughly warmed.
- Transfer to a serving dish, top with crispy garlic chips and serve.
Notes
- You can leave the stems whole if you prefer - just make sure you trim the bottoms off first.
- Use a really high quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- If your garlic has green sprouts running throughout the clove, remove it first.
- Rehydrate your raisins first by adding them to a small bowl, cover with water and microwave for 30-40 seconds. let sit, then drain before using.
- Be sure to toast your pine nuts for a few minutes in a dry skillet or in the oven. Watch so they don't burn!
Nutrition
Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 24mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1521IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 2mg
