Elegant Broccoli Food

ROASTED BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of your oven (if baking the broccoli on one sheet pan) and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. For easy clean-up, line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. (If you will be using two sheet pans, place the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and line two baking sheets.)
• Prep the stem: Cut the broccoli stalk away from the head with florets. Place the stem on your cutting board, and trim off the outer edge along one of its long sides (you want to cut away about ¼ inch). Turn the cut side down onto your cutting board and trim off the next side. Repeat with the remaining two sides. You should be left with a rectangular-shaped piece of the stem's core (and it is delish!). If your remaining stem is large, cut it into pieces that are about 2 or 3 inches long and ½-inch wide. Place the cut pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Discard the outer parts of the stem you chopped away.
• Cut the crowns into large, flat florets: If your crowns are small (about 3 or 4 inches in diameter), cut them into 8 wedges. If they are larger, cut them into 10 wedges. You want the florets to be roughly 1 1/2 to 2-inches wide at the top and 1/2 to 3/4-inch or so thick. These will be a bit larger than the florets you are used to seeing, but TRUST ME, it works. Add them to the sheet with the stems. (See photos in the blog post for guidance).
• Drizzle the broccoli with the oil and sprinkle with the salt, sugar, and pepper. Toss to combine and evenly coat.
• Spread the broccoli into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring that the pieces have plenty of room for air to circulate. If the broccoli is crowded, divide it between two sheets. Flip the florets so that the largest cut side is touching the pan.
• Bake the broccoli for 20 minutes, then flip. Rotate the pan 180 degrees and continue baking for 5 to 10 additional minutes, until it is tender and the tips of the florets are turning dark and crispy (if baking on two sheet pans, switch the pans' positions on the upper and lower rack when you flip). Add any toppings of choice. Enjoy immediately.

BROCCOLI ELEGANT

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, 1/4 cup butter and the seasoning packet from stuffing mixes; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; add stuffing crumbs and toss. Let stand for 5 minutes. , Spoon stuffing around edges of a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Place broccoli spears in center of dish. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt remaining butter. Stir in the flour, bouillon and salt until smooth. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Add cream cheese; stir until melted. Add onions; mix well. Pour over broccoli. Cover and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika.

EASY BUT ELEGANT BROCCOLI SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat; cook the onion, carrot and garlic for 5 minutes.
• Stir in the stock and bring to a boil; add the broccoli.
• Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a blender or food processor, puree the soup in batches and transfer to a glass bowl.
• Stir in the cream; season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until chilled.
• Sprinkle with parsley just before serving.
• If you prefer hot soup, serve when ready with a sprinkling of chopped parsley on each serving.

ELEGANT BROCCOLI BISQUE

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine the potatoes, water or stock, onion , tarragon and broccoli. (Note: If using frozen broccoli, wait 5-10 minutes before adding it.) Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes, till the vegetables are tender.
• Combine the milk, almond butter, tahini, mustard and stir together well. Set aside.
• Transfer the vegetables, in batches, to a food processor and blend each batch with some of the milk mixture. Blend about 20-30 seconds, until smooth but still just chunky enough to be thick.
• Return the soup to the pot. Pour that last 1/2 cup of liquid into the food processor to rinse it out into the pot. Stir in the salt and white pepper, to taste.
• Reheat over medium-low, for five minutes or so. Serve with sandwiches, baked potatoes, or rolls with almond butter or margarine.

BROCCOLI ELEGANT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Grease a 13x9 inch baking dish.
• Combine water and 3 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; remove from heat. Stir in stuffing mix and let stand 5 minutes.
• Spoon stuffing around the edge of baking dish, leaving a well in the center. Arrange broccoli spears in well.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add bouillon.
• Add milk gradually, stirring constantly. Whisk in cream cheese and salt, mixing until smooth. Stir in onion. Pour sauce over broccoli. Sprinkle with cheddar and paprika.
• Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes longer.

ELEGANT BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Place broccoli in 9x13 dish.
• In saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter.
• Add flour, oxo and salt; stir to form a smooth paste.
• Gradually add milk, stirring constantly; bring to a boil.
• Cook and stir 2 minutes.
• Add cream cheese; stir until melted (if mixture seems too thick, add a small amount of hot, melted butter to thin).
• Add onions.
• Pour over broccoli.
• Sprinkle with cheese and paprika.
• Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until bubbly.