Panko Roasted Broccoli

Let me tell you a little story.

The story about Wesley and my first date.

It was a Thursday night and I offered to cook dinner at his place. Since he is a dude, I thought my cooking skills would be super impressive.

And, I’m sure if had picked something that is semi challenging at all it would have been.

But, I picked something super easy thinking that he would just be impressed that I could cook.

Plus, it is way sexier if I just happen to know these recipes off the top of my head instead of flipping through a bunch of papers all dinner.

And the chances of me setting said papers on fire are good. Fires are on the first date are probably deal breakers.

So I’m doing my thing in the kitchen and dinner is almost ready when he lets me know that he as a nicer knife if I want to use it.

Um… yes I want to use it. Chopping with a butter knife is safe but very ineffective.

He busts out a LEGIT knife set complete with carrying case.

What???? Is there something you aren’t telling me WESLEY?

Oh, he worked in a restaurant for three years. No big deal.

All I could think about was why the hell wasn’t he making ME dinner.

Well, it turns out he is a great cook and his knife skills crush mine. Basically he won’t even watch me chop things because he is worried I’ll chop off a finger or an elbow or something.

His skills are so good, that I made him help me with dinner on Monday. I figured if he was chopping things he would make less inappropriate jokes.

The only problem with his restaurant experience is that they don’t stop after ever ingredient is prepped to take a picture. What is wrong with them?

Basically, that was a really long winded way for me to tell you I am sorry this recipe is sorely lacking in photographic evidence of its awesomeness.

I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it.

You will need…

1 pound broccoli, rinsed and trimmed

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut the broccoli florets into bite size pieces and cut the stalk into 1/8-inch thick, round slices.

Place the broccoli into a mixing bowl and toss with the olive oil, garlic, kosher salt and pepper and set aside.

Spread the panko into a 13 by 9-inch dish and place into the oven for 2 minutes or until lightly toasted.

Remove the panko from the oven and add it to the bowl with the broccoli mixture. Toss it to combine.

Return the mixture to the dish, and place it in the oven and roast it just until the broccoli is tender, 8 to 10 more minutes.

Remove from the oven, toss in the cheese and serve immediately.

And don’t let your boyfriend turn the oven off when you aren’t looking resulting in 15 extra minutes of cook time.

Not that that happened to me. Just a heads up.

Love and Beer Floats

Angela