I made a variation on this back in October (complete with stunningly ugly photo), but I thought I’d post this anyway, especially since it’s the first time I’ve used the new mini-photo studio I got for Christmas.

This is a quick weeknight meal. I started with Trader Joe’s lemon pepper pappardelle, which I’d read about on Apartment Therapy’s The Kitchen last fall. It has a bright lemon flavor and good pepper kick, which makes it worth buying, to me, despite my dislike of long, flat pasta. (Hard to eat! Sticks to itself!)

I cut up two small pieces of broccoli, lopping the florets off and slicing each one lengthwise into two or three sheets. I peeled the stems and then shaved them into ribbons with a vegetable peeler.

I sautéed those in a bit of olive oil, starting with the florets, leaving them undisturbed for long enough to caramelize a bit, then tossing in the ribbons towards the end. The broccoli got nice and crispy in some parts and wasn’t overcooked; I had to be careful not to eat it all plain. Next time I think I’ll make it as a side dish and just squirt a little lemon juice over the bowl.

(Photo taken in the regular lighting of the kitchen, not the interesting light box where the rest of these were taken.)

Meanwhile Ben grilled some sausages and sliced them up. When the pasta was cooked I tossed it with a bit of olive oil, then with the broccoli florets and ribbons, and topped it with feta and the sausage.

I can tell I’m really ready for spring because whenever I think about what to cook right now, I think of bright and light colors. I don’t want anything heavy or stewed, even though I didn’t do any braising this whole winter. I’ll have to get over that, especially since after two days of temperatures in the 50s and 60s, and a lovely sunny afternoon, I noticed as I walked back to my office to write this a little while ago that it was suddenly snowing hard. And blowing sideways. Hmm.