Ingredients
- 2 cups whole-grain penne
- 1 head escarole, roughly chopped
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to taste
- 1/4 cup capers, drained and patted dry (optional)
- 5 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed slightly,
- liquid reserved
- 1 15.5-ounce can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and patted dry
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
Directions
Cook the pasta according to the package directions; add the escarole during the last 2 minutes, cover and do not stir. Remove the escarole with tongs; set aside. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Meanwhile, if you're using capers, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the capers and fry until crisp, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
Add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil to the skillet. Cook the garlic, parsley and red pepper flakes until the garlic toasts slightly, 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, a pinch of salt and the bay leaves. Cook until the tomatoes and chickpeas brown, about 6 minutes. Add the escarole and reserved tomato juice and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 4 more minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaves.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce; season with salt and pepper. (If the sauce is thick, add some reserved pasta water.) Stir in the cheese and top with fried capers, if using, and more cheese.
Per Serving: Calories 540; Total Fat 19 g; (Sat Fat 4 g, Mono Fat 11 g, Poly Fat 2.6 g); Protein 21 g; Carb 79 g; Fiber 15 g; Cholesterol 9 mg; Sodium 800 mg

Photo: Whole-Grain Pasta with Chickpeas and Escarole Recipe



















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By R. A. M.
Chicago, IL
on October 11, 2011
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Really yummy! Lots of flavors. The escarole cooked down a lot, though, and became kind of flavorless.
By chrisaloia
Seattle
on October 11, 2011
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I made this for a weeknight dinner for a family of 4. I would say it was creative but didn't really deliver on flavor. I will qualify my review because I used Chicory in place of escarole because was not available. It was not horrible by any means but I doubt I would make this again. It just didn't really stand out from other pasta dishes.
By kristincc3_7486043
Brookfield, CT
on October 10, 2011
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I made this last night with one addition. I browned up a 1/4 lb. of chopped pancetta first and then set it aside on a paper towel lined plate. Then using the same pan, I sauteed the garlic, parlsey, red pepper and everything else according to the recipe. I added the pancetta back in with the escarole and reserved tomato juice. It was sooo good! Very hearty and comfy. The pancetta gave it a little bit of meatiness but I didn't really add a lot so I think it would still be good without that addition :
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