Baked Broccoli

Baked Broccoli

Baked cauliflower is a popular dish, but have you tried baked broccoli? I really don’t like steamed or boiled broccoli on its own. So the best way I like enjoying this vegetable is baking it with some sauce, cheese and sometimes adding other veggies like cauliflower, corn or mushrooms.Baked Broccoli makes a delightful dinner option, served with a salad on the side and home baked bread. Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous family i.e. in the same family as cauliflower, cabbage, mustard leaves, kale.

Health Benefits of Broccoli

• Broccoli contains twice the  amount of Vitamin C compared to an orange.
• Rich in selenium, a mineral that has found to have anti cancer and anti viral properties.
• It is a rich source of folic acid, calcium, potassium.
• A good source of fiber

Some Broccoli Recipes you may want to have a look at:

• Garlicky Broccoli Quinoa– healthy and filling meal
• Broccoli Soup– creamy and with almonds this soup is comforting during the cold season
• With cheese cubes, dried fruit and pine nuts Broccoli Salad is a delightful light meal or when served with a main dish
• Vegan Baked Oats and Vegetable Bites – Renu has used broccoli rice to make these crunchy baked bites.
• Flatbread Stuffed with Broccoli – Priya makes a stuffing with broccoli for parathas or flatbread. Perfect breakfast option.
• Enjoy Archana’s Low Fat Broccoli Salad as a filling meal.
• Prepare Preethi’s creamy and delicious Broccoli Paneer and Peanut Masala or Curry. Enjoy it with some naan, roti or phulka.
• I definitely want to try out Narmadha’s crunchy, crispy and spicy Broccoli 65/ Broccoli Fry as a starter.
• Swati’s Broccoli and Mushroom Pulao can be enjoyed on its own with some raita as a filling meal. Making it in an Instant Pot is so much quicker.
• Poonam’s Broccoli Cutlets makes a wonderful snack to enjoy or even as a lunch box item for kids.
• Looking for a healthy but wholesome meal? Try out Sujata’s Vegan Broccoli Stir Fry.

Baked Broccoli with White Sauce

While I love baked broccoli with white sauce, it tastes equally good in a tomato based sauce or even a mixture of white and tomato, what is commonly called at some of the Italian restaurants here as pink sauce.

Add flavors and herbs of your choice. Add ginger, green chilli and give it an Indian flavour.

If possible don’t omit sprinkling the top with some bread crumbs. Its gives the overall bake a nice crusty top and taste too.

I prefer to blanch the broccoli in hot water just to be sure that they are cooked. But please do not overcook them.

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BAKED BROCCOLI

Broccoli baked in a garlicky and creamy white sauce, topped with cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs. Baked Broccoli makes a wonderful dinner option served with salad and some bread.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, British

Keyword baked broccoli with white sauce, baked dinner

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

FOR BAKED BROCCOLI

• 2-3 cups big broccoli florets
• 1 cup mushrooms halved
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic paste
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper powder

FOR THE WHITE SAUCE

• 1½ cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 2 tbsp plain or wheat flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper powder
• ½ tsp nutmeg powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano or mixed herbs

FOR THE TOPPING

• 2-3 tbsp bread crumbs
• ¾ -1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• ¼ tsp chilli flakes

Instructions

PREPARATION OF BROCCOLI

• Trim the broccoli and cut into bite size florets. It should be about 2-3 cups. Wash the florets well.
• Put some water to boil in a saucepan.
• Add the broccoli and blanch just for 2 minutes or so.
• Remove from the water and set the broccoli on the side till required.
• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan. Stir fry garlic.
• Add broccoli and mushroom. Mix well. Take the pan off the heat.
• Add salt and pepper and mix well.

PREPARATION OF THE WHITE SAUCE

• Heat the butter or oil over low heat in a pan. Add the flour and stir till it turns light pink. 
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the milk, stirring the flour mixture all the time. Return the pan to the heat.
• Stir the mixture till it  thickens.
• Add the herbs,nutmeg powder, salt and pepper.

GET READY TO BAKE

• Preheat the oven to 180°C.
• Mix the bread crumbs, cheddar cheese and chilli flakes.
• Add the sauce to the broccoli mushroom mixture.
• Mix well.
• Pour the mixture into an ovenproof baking dish or tray.
• Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the broccoli mushroom mixture.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or till the top becomes light golden brown.
• Serve with your favourite bread and salad.

Notes

• Use a mixture of cauliflower and broccoli. That too tastes really good.
• Use cheese of your choice.
• Don't throw away the water in which the broccoli was blanched. Use it to prepare soup.
• Use white or brown bread crumbs.

 

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