Saturday Beefcake

When it comes to inspiration there is so much Beefcake out there on the newstand and then to go ahead coupling a favourite menu to an appropriate recipe is a bit more complicated than it may seem. It's important that both entice visitors as well as whet their appetite. That may be redundant.

Anyway, when running a photo that is entitled Mr Superfit from the semi-overtly gay fitness magazine Men's Workout the demons that reinforce insecurity are reawakened. Should the accompanying recipe promote fitness? Should it promote gayness? Should it exorcise demons? Should it be a fortune cookie with Mr Superfit's telephone number?

Perhaps it is best not to complicate life so much. So, enjoy Mr Superfit and accompanying semi-naked men that rise like Botticelli's Venus from the local newstand and enjoy a very simple pasta recipe that is easy, fresh, tasty and nutritious.

Pasta alla Verdura

500 grams of Fresh Broccoli, chopped
Broth cubes (chicken or vegetable) or Vegetable Broth
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Two to Three Cloves of Garlic, minced
Fresh Basil, chopped
Ricotta Salata or Pecorino Romano, grated
Peperoncino, chopped finely, about a teaspooon -- no more
500 grams of Pasta -- Cavatelli or Rigati

1. Cook the broccoli in boiling water with the broth cube or directly in the vegetable broth until it has reached a desired texture, slightly over cooked by Today's standards.
2. Do not discard the liquid. Remove the broccoli. Bring the liquid back to a boil.
3. Throw the pasta in the very same water and cook it until al dente.
4. In the meantime saute the garlic in the olive oil (about 1/4 cup) , add the basil at the last moment.
5. When the pasta is ready, toss it with the olive oil and the broccoli.
6. Add the cheese and peperoncino, toss again.

Easy, tasty and rather fresh as one might imagine that Mr Super Fit might be.