Creamy Italian Broccoli Food

CREAMY BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
• Mix Topping ingredients in a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until it smells incredible.
• Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• While whisking, slowly pour in half the milk. Once fully incorporated, whisk in the remaining milk plus the chicken broth.
• Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, whisking every now and then and more towards the end, until the sauce thickens so that it coats the back of a wooden spoon and when you draw your finger across it, the path stays (see video).
• Turn off heat, add cheeses, stir in (don't worry if it doesn't melt fully). Then do a taste test and add a bit of salt if required.
• Add broccoli and stir well to coat.
• Pour into a casserole dish, pat down to fill. Sprinkle over Topping, cover with foil then bake for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake for a further 20 minutes until the topping is deep golden and the broccoli is tender.
• Stand for 5 minutes before serving.

BEST CREAM OF BROCCOLI SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium sized stock pot, and saute onion and celery until tender. Add broccoli and broth, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a clean pot. Alternately, you can use a stick blender and puree the soup right in the cooking pot.
• In small saucepan, over medium-heat melt 3 tablespoons butter, stir in flour and add milk. Stir until thick and bubbly, and add to soup. Season with pepper and serve.

ITALIAN BROCCOLI & SALMON BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/gas 5/fan 170C and get out an ovenproof dish (measuring 20 by 30cm, and about 5cm deep). Meanwhile, put a large pan of water on to boil for the pasta. When it is boiling rapidly, tip in the pasta with a generous sprinkling of salt. Give it a stir, return to the boil and cook for 6 minutes. Add the broccoli, then return the water to the boil and cook for 4 minutes more, until the broccoli is on the firm side of just tender. Drain well.
• While the pasta is cooking, put the butter, flour and milk in a large pan and heat, whisking or stirring continuously, until it thickens to make a smooth sauce. Remove from the heat and stir in the mascarpone, sun-dried tomatoes, capers (if using), anchovies (if using) and basil, then add the pasta and broccoli and season well.
• Halve the salmon fillets widthways (you will see that there is an obvious divide on each fillet) then place the pieces in a single layer on the base of the ovenproof dish. Spoon the broccoli mixture on top, then scatter with the grated cheddar. (You can chill this for up to 4 hours if you want to get ahead.)
• Bake for 30 minutes until the mixture is just starting to bubble round the edges and the mixture is pale golden - don't let it go too dark or the fish will overcook.

CREAMY BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook rotini to desired doneness as directed on package.
• Drain; rinse with cold water until cool.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine sour cream, cheese, mayonnaise, milk and garlic; blend well.
• In large bowl, combine broccoli, tomatoes, carrot and basil.
• Add cooked rotini; mix well.
• Add sour cream mixture; toss gently to mix thoroughly.
• Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.

ITALIAN BROCCOLI WITH PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add broccoli; cook, uncovered, 3 minutes. Drain and immediately place broccoli in ice water. Drain and pat dry., In a large nonstick skillet, saute peppers in oil for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add the broccoli, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes longer. Add the tomato; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.

ITALIAN BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Place the broccoli in a steamer basket.
• Steam over boiling water in a large covered saucepan for 3-5 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
• Transfer to large bowl.
• Saute the garlic, red pepper and shallots in a large skillet with the olive oil for 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Add the broccoli and mix well.
• Add the salt, black pepper, red-pepper flakes and Asiago cheese.
• Toss lightly.