I negotiated for two problems of the math to be done before dinner and the rest after. I bargained for snack and a glass of milk to be consumed while sitting at the table before 15 minutes of Poptropica. I accepted hanging on the couch before taking a shower. And then I lost it.
8 yr. old person:Â When’s dinner?
Over 40 person:Â It’s coming.
8 yr. old person:Â Is it ready?
Over 40 person: Not yet. Almost.
8 yr. old person: Now is it?
Over 40 person:Â Nine minutes.
8 yr. old person:Â (catching sight of the broccoli) Are you–What are you making?
Over 40 person:Â Pasta and..
8 yr. old person: I WANT MINE ON THE SIDE!
Over 40 person:Â I’m not..
8 yr. old person: I HATE IT LIKE THAT! DON’T MIX IT IN! JUST PUT IT ON THE SIDE!
Over 40 person:Â No!
(And then just in case the 8 year old person didn’t hear, the over 40 person continues)
I’m not going to put it on the side! And you know why? Because if I put it on the side you are going to grow up to be a great big pain! Mushy cereal, I understand!! I’m not going to make you eat mushy cereal, but you like pasta, you like broccoli, and you can eat them all together!
(Silence from the 8 year old person.)
I chopped the garlic and parsley incredibly fine, about 3 tablespoons of parsley and 4 cloves of garlic for 6 ounces of pasta and half a bunch of broccoli (2 stalks.) The beauty of making pasta and broccoli is that you make it ONE POT. Get your water to a rolling boil and season it with salt so that it tastes like a well seasoned soup. Add a high quality pasta like De Cecco. Cook until tenderish on the outside, but stiff and definitely not done. Add fresh, chopped broccoli flowerets to the pasta water, right in there with the pasta. Continue to cook until the pasta is seriously al dente, about 3 minutes more. Drain, reserving a few tablespoons of the cooking water in a heatproof glass. Rinse out the pan with a little cold water, and then get it back on the heat. Give it a spill of olive oil and a knob of butter. Add the garlic and parsley and cook over a gentle flame until the garlic is beginning to go golden. Turn off the heat. Give it a shake or two to continue the cooking. Add another tablespoon of butter or two and the reserved cooking water. Add the pasta and broccoli and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. If you like parmegiano reggiano you can stir that right in or HAVE IT ON THE SIDE!