Parmesan Garlic Broccoli

I do NOT understand why some people like mushy, steamed vegetables. The entire concept of mushy anything makes me slightly queasy. But steamed, mushy, smelly vegetables make me want to lose my lunch. Gross. So, the search for amazing veggie side dishes continues.

And friends, I found a real winner last night. It was such a hit that not a morsel was left in the bowl. Not. One. Morsel.


I was a little skeptical due to the basil and lemon zest in the recipe. But the odd ingredients added such a fresh complexity.


See what I did there? Didn’t I sound fancy? Talkin’ about complexity and all that jazz. I’ll be a chef before you know it.


Just like my brussels sprouts recipe converted my uncle Hank to a sprouts believer, this broccoli is sure to change the opinion of any baby tree hater.


Now stop your steaming right this second and mix it up a bit!

Love and Beer Floats
Angela

Ingredients
4 to 5 pounds broccoli
4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
Good olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil leaves (about 12 leaves)

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Cut the broccoli florets from the thick stalks, leaving an inch or two of stalk attached to the florets, discarding the rest of the stalks. Cut the larger pieces through the base of the head with a small knife, pulling the florets apart. You should have about 8 cups of florets. Place the broccoli florets on a sheet pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Toss the garlic on the broccoli and drizzle with 5 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until crisp-tender and the tips of some of the florets are browned.
Remove the broccoli from the oven and immediately toss with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, Parmesan, and basil. Serve hot.