Okay, Martha

Martha Stewart makes me feel a little too domesticated. Yes, I like to cook. Yes, I have a subscription to Real Simple. But I'm not all matchy-matchy. No one's ever described me as a great decorator or housekeeper--in fact, some might argue that the apartment I've lived in for a year and a half still looks like I just moved into it. Nothing to brag about; all just to illustrate that I don't look to Martha Stewart as a model in my life.

Nevertheless, I picked up her magazine, Everyday Food, in line at the grocery store the other day. Ummm, yum. Every single page was filled with recipes that I wanted to cook or bake. So I bought it, and I'm on a little bit of a Martha Stewart food kick now.

Take this recipe for Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage, for example. I didn't find broccoli rabe at my grocery store, but I found broccolini instead, and the sausage with the broccolini and the garlic, red chili pepper flakes and generous helping of olive oil made this dish stand out. Here we go:

Ingredients
3-4 sweet Italian sausages, casing removed and crumbled (this preparation is key for cooking the sausage evenly)
1 lb. orecchiette
1 lb. broccolini, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, grated
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

• Place sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a bowl; set sausage and skillet aside.
• Bring 4 quarts of heavily salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add broccolini. Cook 1 minute and transfer broccolini with a slotted spoon to a bowl.
• Bring the water back to a boil and add pasta. Cook until al dente, 5 to 8 minutes; drain.
• Place reserved skillet over medium-high heat and add oil, broccolini, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, about 30 seconds. Return sausage to the skillet along with the orecchiette. Stir to combine, adding reserved cooking liquid if pasta seems too dry.
• Sprinkle with cheese and freshly grated pepper, and serve immediately.