Pasta with broccoli, peanuts and lemon (vegan)

A simple, clean and bright tasting vegan pasta dish. The addition of lemon and peanuts make it taste both fresh and hearty. It's easy and fast to throw together and really delicious. If you're not used to a vegan diet, try this dish and you won't miss the cheese that usually goes into pastas. 
I don't campaign for a regular vegan diet, but I do think anyone should try to have a vegan day once a week for detox purposes (unless their doctor advises otherwise, of course). So, if the idea of a vegan Monday or something sounds pretty good but you don't know where to start and you're afraid that you'll just be too hungry all day, this might be a good starting point. Try it :)
P.S: Although it uses some Italian ingredients and regular European-style pasta and not noodles, the final flavors you feel are kind of Chinese. The mix is really interesting and delicious :).
P.P.S: It's a mobile phone-taken picture at a time when I didn't have my camera with me. 

Last year: Strawberry lassi (Indian).
Two years ago: Zucchini and turkey soup with pesto.
Three years ago: Baked tomato-stuffed peppers with thyme (vegan).
Four years ago: baby making and no cooking :).



Ingredients (serves 2):

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 red chili
• 1 small broccoli head
• juice and zest from half a lemon
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• salt and pepper to taste
• 200 g wholemeal fussili
• 50 g roasted and salted peanuts

Chop up the broccoli into florets. Peel and slice the garlic. De-seed the chili and slice it finely.
Put a pot of salted water over heat and boil the pasta according to package instructions. When the pasta is done, drain it and immediately toss it with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and set it aside until you finish the rest.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan. Add the sliced chili and garlic. Fry them around, stirring, for 1-2 minutes. Add the broccoli. Fry it, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until softened. If you feel like anything might be getting burned, add 2 tablespoons of water and stir.

When the broccoli seems softened, mix in the lemon juice and zest and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the pasta and the peanuts and mix. Add the soy sauce and cook for 1 more minute, making sure it coats everything. Give it another minute before turning off the heat.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to serving plates and dig in :)