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.
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.