It may not be a big surprise to you, but broccoli is just a bunch of flower heads. Actually, it is a tree-like structure on a thick stalk. At least, this is what you’re supposed to see when buying this veg at Farmy.
Broccoli flowers are a high-end delicacy
But growers sometimes see another picture of broccoli. One of them is when the soil and the environment get too hot. Then the broccoli will start to blossom. Normally the florets are tightly packed when you look at them in your fridge. But in too hot conditions, every single floret will become a beautiful yellow flower.
The good news: even at this stage, your broccoli is perfectly safe. Broccoli flowers are not only edible but nutritious. Some people find them to be quite tasty. And in different parts of the world, bloomed broccoli is sold at some high-scale markets as a delicacy.
What about “The best broccoli of my life!”?
Still, we assume that you buy common-looking broccoli. But it surely deserves to be the best in terms of taste and flavour.
The point is that many people on the internet swear by the same roasted broccoli. They put it like “This seriously is the best broccoli of my life!”. Wow, this sounds like something. We definitely need to try it.
Start with preheating your oven to 220˚C. Now take 1 kg of broccoli, wash it and start cutting the florets from the thick stem. Place all the florets into a sheet pan in a single layer. Toss some garlic cloves across, drizzle copiously with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Roast for 25 minutes, until well-browned with crispy edges. Remove the veg and immediately toss with some extra olive oil, lemon juice and parmesan cheese.
The burst of umami, pungency and cheesiness is so attractive in this dish.
What about a richer version?
What about a roasted broccoli-cheese casserole? That is a much, much richer version of broccoli from the oven. You’ll still need a preheated oven and a deep baking dish, buttered well.
Now take 1 can of cream of mushroom soup and 230 g / 1 cup of mayo. Mix it with 1 beaten egg and 1 medium chopped onion. Then add 500 g / 1 lb of broccoli.
Stir well, then spread across the baking dish and top with shredded Cheddar cheese. Season with salt, pepper and paprika. What a colourful delight!
What do you think?