Also, did you know you can make steel-cut oats in a rice cooker? Just use the same water/salt combo (or maybe a touch more water if your cooker gets super hot), mix it together, and start it up. Great with some raisins/brown sugar/canned milk. (Canned milk takes up less refrigerator space AND is fantastic on hot cereal.

Recipe 1: Broccoli and Pasta (best with Cavatelli, which you should be able to buy frozen where you are now)

1 pound of cavatelli (or other pasta)
1 head of broccoli
2-4 cloves of garlic (depending upon your preference–more is better, imo)
1/2 cup chopped onion (optional, only if you like it)
1/2 cup of chicken broth (or so)
olive oil
salt, pepper
dried hot pepper flakes
grated parmesan cheese

Get some water boiling in your hot pot. Meanwhile…

Cut one head of broccoli into bite-sized florets. Peel the stems and cube the flesh. Put all the cut broccoli in a strainer that fits in your hot pot.

Either sliver the garlic or run it through a press.

Turn on your electric skillet (medium hot to hot) and add about a tablespoon or two of olive oil.

While it is heating up, dip the broccoli in to the boiling hot pot and let it sit for no more than a minute. Then remove it and let it drain over the sink.

Once the water is at a boil again, add the pasta to your boiling water with some salt.

While the pasta is cooking, start sauteing the onion (if using) until it just starts to caramelize. Then add the garlic and let it turn golden, but not brown (which should happen very, very quickly). As soon as the garlic is done, add the broccoli all at once and be sure to coat it with the onions, garlic, and oil. Sprinkle with the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.

To keep this lighter, this is where I add the chicken broth to help the flavors all merge and to cook the broccoli without making it greasy (traditionally, this dish has about a cup of olive oil in it). Do add a little more oil, though, if you think it needs it. Keep the heat really high so that while the veggies cook the broth evaporates. Again, this should all happen quickly–don’t let the broccoli overcook. By this point, your cavatelli should be cooked (it takes about 4 minutes from frozen, usually–when it floats it is ready). Drain it and toss it in the pan with the broccoli if there is room–otherwise, put it in a bowl and add the hot veggies to it there. Toss everything together…if the pasta seems dry, drizzle a tad more olive oil on it just to coat.

Add a tablespoon or two of grated parmesan and toss again.

Serve with more parmesan and plenty of fresh black pepper.

Yummy!!!