Broccoli deliciousness

November 12th, 2008 | Written by jfolkmann | Topic: Sides

I found this recipe at the Amateur Gourmet. Anyone who claims that a recipe is the best they’ve ever tasted is stepping out on a limb, but I’d have to agree that he wasn’t exaggerating. The florets come out of the oven slightly crispy and brown at the edges and when you add the lemon and the Parmesan something magical happens. We served it with a BBQ pork loin crusted with rosemary, but it would be a perfect side to any number of dishes. I guarantee this recipe will be on the menu on a regular basis in our house.

Preparation time

10m

Cooking time

30m

Difficulty

2

Serves

2

Ingredients

• 4 pounds of broccoli
• 7 tablespoons olive oil
• Pepper
• Salt
• 4 cloves of garlic (diced)
• ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 1 lemon

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 450F.

Cut the broccoli into florets (make sure they’re pretty big.) Tip from Amateur Gourmet: “Here’s the key that she doesn’t mention in the recipe: dry them THOROUGHLY.” If you don’t dry the broccoli the florets won’t get all crispy…they’ll steam and get soggy.

Put the broccoli in a large bowl. Toss with 5 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper (to taste). Now add 4 garlic cloves that are peeled and diced and toss again. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and spread the florets evenly across the pan.

Roast for 20-35 minutes. While the broccoli is roasting, put the pine nuts in a dry frying pan and lightly toast them. They’ll turn a nice golden brown.

Take the pan out of the oven, zest a lemon over the broccoli, squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the broccoli, add 2 Tbs more olive oil, 3 Tbs toasted pine nuts, and 1/3 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

There are 7 Comments

1. Comment by Chocolate Shavings on the November 12th, 2008 at 5:31 pm

   
   

   That seems like a wonderful side to any meal.

2. Comment by Peppercorn Press on the November 12th, 2008 at 6:14 pm

   
   

   This looks like a nice change for broccoli. I love it, my two year old daughter loves it – but my husband only eats it if it is drowned in cheese sauce. But, for me I get tired of drowning my broccoli. This sounds great paired with the garlic, pine nuts and parm – and it photographed beautifully… makes my mouth water!

3. Comment by Coffee and Vanilla on the November 13th, 2008 at 4:21 am

   
   

   I made some roasted broccoli recently as well, it was really delicious. Love the idea of adding lemon and pine nuts, I will try next time.

4. Comment by Dawn of Dawn's Recipes on the November 13th, 2008 at 6:09 am

   
   

   That looks great! I like broccoli steamed and stir-fried, but not so much roasted. I think you just changed my mind about that last bit!

5. Comment by Joanna in the kitchen on the November 13th, 2008 at 7:53 am

   
   

   I’m not a big fun of broccoli but I have to admit that you have inspired me to try again to get acquainted with this very healthy vegetable

6. Comment by Kellly on the November 19th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

   
   

   We have made this twice already. Totally awesome!

7. Comment by Stacey Snacks on the November 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 pm

   
   

   This recipe is also in Ina’s new back to basics book.
   I made it the other night, and it was fabulous!

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