Description

Theres nothing left to stretch anymore; I've seen many restaurants close, and mom-and-pop restaurants are not what they used to be. I know because I see it happening. So Im always thinking about how to do something tasty for less money. How can you go wrong with pasta and broccoli, which is liked by almost everyone? So I made it a point to spend less than $6 on my last trip to the grocery store, and my total for the ingredients in the recipe below came to $5.95. I wasn't sure that Id be able to feed four people; it wasn't a lot, but we had four perfect portions similar to a local restaurant. When trying to think up a name for this entree, I was observing Wall Street, and investment broker Bernard Madoff came to mind. I wonder if this dish is too inexpensive for Madoff to enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 qt. water
• 14 oz. broccoli pieces
• 4 oz. olive oil
• 1/2 lb. bulk Italian sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 lb. rigatoni
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pinch curry powder
• Crushed red pepper
• 1 c. Romano cheese

Directions:
Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Rinse broccoli pieces. When water comes to a boil, add the broccoli (do not cook broccoli longer than 3 minutes). Heat olive oil in a 16 skillet to 375 degrees. 

When the oil is hot, add sliced sausage and saute for 1 minute on medium heat. Add sliced onions to the skillet. (Note: Do not start sauteing the onion until the broccoli is already in the water.) Using a slotted spoon, remove the broccoli from the water and add it to the frying pan; use caution, as the water from the broccoli may splash. Set aside 1/2 cup of water from the boiled broccoli. While the broccoli is sauteing, add the rigatoni to the boiling water. Cook the rigatoni for 12 to 15 minutes, to your taste. Drain the pasta and add it to the broccoli, onion and sausage mixture. Add salt and pepper, curry powder and crushed red pepper, to your taste. Mix well. Add Parmesan cheese and enjoy. (If you feel that the sauteed pasta mixture is too dry, add some of the 1/2 cup water you saved.) Serves 4.