Nothing against mama, but it seems like the broccoli of my youth was usually boiled, steamed, or stir-fried to within an inch of its life into a limp, soft, squishy mass of green.
Yum.
Ok, not so much. I never really ASKED for broccoli for dinner.
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I mean, if it was on my plate, I’d eat it, but there was never any pleasure in doing so. And I’ve since learned that food = pleasure.
Even broccoli.
This is the NEW and IMPROVED broccoli.
The modern, slightly sexy, deeply interesting version. This is the broccoli that my five year old begs me to make. The recipe that will make you stop thinking of broccoli as just something green and good for you. This broccoli feels indulgent. Naughty. Maybe even a bit exotic. Ready to get started? Here’s what you do:
Not Your Mama's Broccoli - Crunchy, Caramelized, Delicious, Sexy Broccoli
The title speaks for itself. This is NEW and IMPROVED broccoli. The slightly sexy, deeply interesting way to cook this green powerhouse of nutrition. Ready to dive in?
Ingredients
- 6 cups Fresh broccoli, cut into florets
- 3-4 cloves Garlic, mined
- 3-4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tbls Lemon zest
- 1/2 Lemon, juiced
- 3-4 tbsp Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Line a large, rimmed baking dish with parchment paper
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To prepare broccoli. Cut into florets, keeping no more than about 1/2-3/4 inch of rabe.
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In a large bowl, place broccoli, minced garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Using your hands, gently mix the ingredients and coat the broccoli.
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Spread out on to cookie, keeping broccoli in a single layer.
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Bake for 12 minutes. Using tongs, gently turn over broccoli. Cook for another 12-15 minutes until broccoli is caramelized and crunchy.
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Once cooked, add broccoli to serving bowl and gently mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice and cheese. Serve immediately!
Some notes:
When a recipe calls for such few ingredients, quality matters. Make sure you are using a quality olive oil and Parmesan Reggiano cheese. If you don’t have a zester, consider getting one – great to use for all kinds of recipes from baking to salad dressings.
This is a really yummy, imported cheese.
A great olive oil!
This is the zester I use:
pin me!
Sexy Broccoli sounds delicious!! I will defintley have to make this soon!
I love broccoli any way I can have it! My kids actually do too! We’ll have to try this recipe!
This looks amazing and actually something my toddler will eat!!!
yay!
I LOVE BROCCOLI AND I AM SO GLAD TO FIND MORE WAYS TO MAKE IT
So happy to hear! This is my favorite way of preparing 🙂
Oooh yes yes yes! I love roasted broccoli – lots of garlic and salt, please! Totally sexy. 😉
If you told me when I was a kid that broccoli was sexy I would have thought you were crazy. But adult me says damn this looks good!
LOL!
Has anyone made this with frozen broccoli?
If so, any adjustments?
Did you thaw the broccoli?
Thank you.
I haven’t tried with frozen. I think it would get soggy, even if you thawed because the broccoli would be so wet? I think it would be best with fresh broccoli. If you try it with frozen, let us know what you think!