Charred Broccoli Food

CHARRED BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium-high heat.
• Place the broccoli rabe on a sheet of aluminum foil that is large enough to fold over and seal in the rabe. Drizzle the broccoli rabe with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and red pepper flakes. With your hands, toss gently to coat. Fold the foil over the broccoli rabe and crimp all sides to seal. Place the sealed packet on the grill and allow to steam for 8 minutes.
• Open the packet, being careful not to burn yourself with the steam that escapes. Using tongs, place the broccoli rabe directly on the grill. Cook on the first side until lightly charred in spots, about 2 minutes, then turn over and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove to a platter to serve.

CHARRED BROCCOLI CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the crostini: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Brush the baguette slices with the oil and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with the salt and bake until golden brown and crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the crostini to a wire rack to cool.
• For the broccoli: On the same rimmed baking sheet, toss together the broccoli, oil and salt. Spread evenly on the baking sheet and roast, flipping the broccoli halfway through, until browned in spots and crispy, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan.
• For the topping: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the ricotta, oil and salt.
• To assemble, take a crostini and spread with a small amount of the cheese. Pile on a few pieces of broccoli and sprinkle with the chopped almonds.

CHARRED BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Whisk 2 tablespoons each soy sauce and rice vinegar with 4 teaspoons each sesame oil and honey; season with salt and pepper. Thinly slice 2 cups shiitake mushroom caps and 1 shallot; add to the dressing. Toss 2 heads chopped broccoli with vegetable oil; cook on a hot grill pan, 2 minutes per side. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with the dressing, some sesame seeds and a thinly sliced red jalapeno.

BURNT BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Break up broccoli and place in a roasting pan.
• Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bake in a 350- 400 degree oven until edges of broccoli start to turn black (about an hour).

CHARRED SPICY BROCCOLINI

Steps:

• Toss 2 large trimmed bunches broccolini with 2 tablespoons olive oil and a pinch each of salt and pepper on a baking sheet. Spread in a single layer and roast at 475˚ F until charred around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon agave syrup and 1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce. Drizzle on the broccolini.

CHARRED BROCCOLI SALAD

Steps:

• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Trim the bottom inch off of the broccoli stems and discard or save in your freezer for a soup. Quarter the broccoli lengthwise into large pieces and place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Place the broccoli on the direct heat side of the grill and char on all sides, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Move to the indirect side of the grill, close the grill lid and roast until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, scallions, vinegar, dill, brown sugar and mustard. Season to taste with the fresh nutmeg, salt and pepper. Remove the broccoli to a serving platter and drizzle with as much of the buttermilk dressing as you'd like. Top with the dried cherries and peanuts. Serve!

CHARRED BROCCOLI, LEMON & WALNUT PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high. Put the broccoli on a baking tray and drizzle over 1 tsp of the oil. Season, and toss together. Grill for 8-10 mins, tossing around halfway through, until crispy and charred.
• Cook the pasta in salted water following pack instructions. Drain, reserving a cup of the cooking water.
• In a frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tsp oil over a medium heat, and fry the garlic, walnuts and chilli for 3-4 mins until golden.
• Tip in the pasta, broccoli, lemon zest and juice, reserving a little of the zest. Add a splash of the reserved cooking water and toss everything together to coat the pasta. Serve in warmed bowls with the remaining lemon zest scattered over.