052617 Broccolini Blanched Food

SAUTEED BROCCOLINI

Steps:

• Blanch the broccolini in a large pot of boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Drain immediately and immerse in a bowl of ice water.
• Melt the butter in a large saute pan. Add the lemon zest and garlic and stir. Drain the broccolini and add it to the garlic mixture and heat for 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper, and toss well before serving.

SPICY ROASTED BROCCOLINI WITH PRESERVED LEMON

Steps:

• For the preserved lemon: Mix the salt with 1 cup sugar in a small bowl. Layer the lemon slices with the salt-sugar mixture in a nonreactive dish so that the lemon slices are completely buried. Leave the dish uncovered on the kitchen counter and let sit for 2 to 3 days.
• Remove the lemon slices from the salt-sugar mixture and rinse well under cold water. Combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, then add the lemon slices and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool and store in a container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
• For the broccolini: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Blanch the broccolini by filling a medium saucepan with water and bringing it to a boil. Add a generous handful of salt (it should taste like the sea). Prepare a large bowl of ice water. Add the broccolini to the boiling water and cook until just barely tender, about 2 minutes. Drain the broccolini and immediately plunge into the ice water to shock. Transfer the broccolini to paper towels and blot dry.
• Add the blanched broccolini, garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil and some salt and pepper to a cast-iron skillet and toss well. Place the skillet in the oven and roast until the broccolini stalks are soft and cooked through and the ends are brown and crispy, approximately 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the chile paste, 2 tablespoons chopped preserved lemon and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Toss the roasted broccolini with the preserved lemon mixture and serve.

BROCCOLINI WITH LEMON

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook broccolini until tender, about 4 minutes. Drain, and transfer broccolini to ice-water bath. Drain again and pat dry with paper towels.
• Heat oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Cook lemon zest until sizzling, about 30 seconds. Add broccolini and cook until warmed through. Transfer to a platter and season with salt and lemon juice.

BLANCHED BROCCOLI AND CHEESE DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Blanch the broccoli by throwing florets into boiling water for 30 seconds, then draining and pouring into ice water. When cool, drain and set aside. Keep in the fridge to keep cool.
• To make the sauce, melt the butter in a pot over medium heat and sprinkle in the flour. Whisk to combine and cook until thick, about 1 minute. Pour in the milk and heat until it thickens. Add the grated cheese, cream cheese, salt, Cajun spice, mustard powder and pepper to taste. Stir to melt. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot with the cold broccoli and use as a dipping sauce.

ROASTED BROCCOLINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Trim 2 inches off the ends of the broccolini stems and cut any thick stalks in half lengthwise. Place the broccolini in a single layer on two sheet pans. (If you put them on one sheet pan, the broccolini will steam rather than roast.) Drizzle each sheet pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and toss well. Roast for 15 minutes, until the broccolini is crisp-tender. Sprinkle lightly with salt and serve hot.