In the 80’s I took a lot of aerobics. “AND UP, AND UP, and 4 and 3 and 2 and 1 and WE’RE NOT FINISHED LADIES, LET’S DO IT AGAIN!!!!” All muscle cramping and Reeboks, loads of clapping and sweat flying and “STAY WITH ME LADIES.” Yesterday I decided to give it a George Michael try to get me to cook. And it worked for about 36 seconds–enough to time to shout “you go girl” and then I was back on the couch. Today I am going to try guilt. I have perfectly good broccoli. One dollar and eighty nine cents right in the garbage if I don’t do something about it.
Cut the broccoli tops into 2 inch bits, then cut the peel off the stems and slice the stem into thin slices on the diagonal. Toss all that with olive oil and season with kosher salt. Roast at 375 degrees until the broccoli is still bright green with a tenderness, but tiny snap to it. On a separate tray, roast cherry tomatoes tossed with olive oil and salt, just the same, with a few whole cloves of garlic and a few sprigs of oregano or parsley. When the tomatoes are done, smash one or two of the garlic cloves with your knife and then chop finely. Toss everything together with a handful of Nicoise olives. Serve with a warm salad of chic peas doused with olive oil warmed with cayenne pepper and garlic and red onions, a wedge of ricotta salata and a crusty loaf of bread. Drink red wine alongside. For God’s sake, there is just so much you can do in a day.