The Smuggler

Anyone who has had the pleasure of taking a plane somewhere, knows that airport security is tighter than ever. Being skittish since the tragic 9/11 attack, I'm all for heightened security. In fact, I actually enjoy stepping into those plastic capsules that spit air at the most inconspicuous places! And if you want to do a full body scan...I say reveal everything straight down to where the sun don't shine!

Unfortunately, this modern airport equipment is essential to our safety. But can you remember the old days, when the most we had to worry about was...The Big Cheese!

I'm shocked that it took 6 blogs to mention that I am a fanatical fan of Lucille Ball, and still consider the "I Love Lucy" reruns hilarious! One of my favorites is when she has to fly home from Europe. She wants to bring back a 30 pound hunk of cheese, but doesn't want to pay for it!

Hearing that babies fly free, she decides to dress the cheese in a bonnet, and baby's garb! Not only does she smuggle the "cheese baby" onto the plane, but she feeds it a bottle...and burps it, too! If you want to see what happens, you'll have to dig into the archives, somewhere dating back to May, 1956!

Zooming into 2010, I have had this same problem with Mama Melisi...The Smuggler! For some reason, I could never convince her that we had supermarkets in Florida! Carefully packing the "goods" so that they're never found or confiscated, she's been known to smuggle coffee, Christmas Cookies, turkey breasts, and her favorite...FRESH VEGES! And she loves to conceal those heads...heads of broccoli, heads of cauliflower...maybe stash a side of asparagus! I never know what she's going to pull out of her carry-on!

Now usually when people fly from the dreary, wintry northeast to sunny Florida, they want to immediately visit the beach...the ocean...the local golf course! Not Mama Melisi! She wants to add to the smuggling experience, and top it with a trip to Publix Supermarket to do her BIG food shop! And why, you ask? Because, after all these years, she has figured out that she can't fit everything INTO HER BAG!

After 19 years of Florida living, I've stopped talking about this in therapy...there are just some things that will never change! In fact, I've come to enjoy her smuggling techniques, especially if amid the underwear and socks, she whips out a package of fresh Broccoli Rabe! Also known as rapini, you have to acquire a taste for this rich -in-vitamins, green vegetable, that Italians love!

As usual, we offer it to you with serving suggestions, and love!

From Mama Melisi and Me

Ingredients:

1 Bunch of Broccoli Rabe (Rapini)
4 to 6 cloves of fresh garlic
1 can low fat reduced salt chicken broth (vegetable broth if you are vegetarian)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Optional Ingredients:
1 can drained, rinsed cannellini beans
1/2 pound cleaned large shrimp or scallops

Cooking Directions:

Cut off about 2 inches of the stems of the broccoli rabe
Wash the rabies thoroughly with baking soda or salt
After rabies are clear of any sand, place in a colander
Add olive oil to a 8 qt pot or a large saute pan
Heat the oil for a few seconds
Add the garlic and bring the garlic to a golden color, tossing it as you go along
Add the broccoli rabe and about a half can of the chicken broth
Cover and steam for about 15 minutes
Add the rest of the broth if needed
Check if broccoli rabe is done...I prefer mine cooked to a softer consistency
(This has to be your preference)

Serving Suggestions:

1. Serve as a side vegetable
2. Serve with pasta (Cook pasta separately, then add the greens)
3. Can also be served by adding a can of cannellini beans with or without pasta
4. This is a favorite - Cook the pasta separately. Then saute the cleaned shrimp or scallops with garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Add a bottle of clam juice and 1/2 cup of white wine to the fish. Raise the flame or heat to high for about 3 minutes. After the pasta is drained, place in a serving bowl or platter. Then top with the broccoli rabe. Add the shrimp or scallops. Truly delicious!