Description
This Smashed Broccoli with Parmesan recipe offers a delicious and healthy way to enjoy broccoli, featuring a garlic-infused olive oil and a generous sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The broccoli is blanched, smashed to enhance texture, and baked to perfection, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying side dish suitable for a variety of meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Broccoli
- 1 head broccoli, washed
- Salt for blanching water
Garlic-Infused Oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- Zest of one organic lemon
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Toppings and Seasoning
- 1 heaping cup of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red Tabasco or Sriracha (optional)
- Pesto (optional)
- Lemon wedges or aged balsamic vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and prepare a baking sheet by brushing it with some of the garlic-infused oil.
- Prepare Garlic-Infused Oil: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, salt, mustard powder, lemon zest, and extra-virgin olive oil to create a flavorful garlic oil.
- Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and submerge the whole head of broccoli for 4-5 minutes until just tender. Drain thoroughly to remove excess water.
- Prepare for Baking: Break the broccoli into smaller florets and slice the stem. Arrange the pieces evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Smash the Broccoli: Gently press down on each floret using the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass to flatten and smash them, increasing surface area for flavor absorption.
- Season and Bake: Brush each smashed broccoli piece with more garlic-infused oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and generously sprinkle with grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and the broccoli edges are crispy.
- Serve: Remove the broccoli from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm, with optional toppings such as red Tabasco or Sriracha, pesto, lemon wedges, or aged balsamic vinegar for added flavor.
Notes
- You can customize the heat level by adding red Tabasco or Sriracha according to preference.
- Using fresh lemon zest brightens the flavor of the garlic oil significantly.
- Blanching the broccoli before smashing and baking helps retain color and tenderness.
- Ensure the baking sheet is well coated with garlic oil to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
- Parmigiano Reggiano adds a nutty, salty finish; feel free to adjust the quantity based on your taste.
