Say Cheese!...and Broccoli: Oven Roasted Broccoli Deliciousness

Oven Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Parm

Over the years, our friend broccoli has had a mixed relationship with politics, the press and the entertainment industry.  First, we have a President that says he doesn’t like broccoli. I mean really. What mom can get their kid to eat broccoli when the leader of the free world says he doesn’t like it and won’t eat it? Not cool, George. Not cool at all. I bet Barbara called after that was the sound bite for the week. Yeah, you are never too old for a call from your mother.

However, it seems like every other week there is a new health study extolling the virtues of broccoli and how it will keep us looking younger, free from cancer and help us live longer. All of that sounds great, but how do you get a kid, or close minded adult, to eat broccoli? Back in the 80s the answer was a heavy yellow cheese sauce. Well, all the healthy qualities were actually drowned in a sea of fat and calories. And you can’t say the cheese was a dairy serving! We aren’t playing that game again.

Thankfully, in the 90s a little cartoon series named “Veggie Tales” came along and made vegetables entertaining. Only problem, who else had kids that said, “Mom, I can’t eat Larry!”?? Yeah, my two tried that line of reasoning. Didn’t work, but they gave it their best shot. However, I will say that my kids have been pretty good about eating their vegetables, other than the disastrous broccoli rabe incident of 2004. That little Giada made it look amazing on TV and it just did not translate well in my kitchen.

I love that Pinterest is full of creative ways to chop, cook and serve vegetables to our families or for social gatherings. One of the first vegetable recipes I tried was for oven roasted broccoli. The photo was  of a sheet pan covered in chopped broccoli, glistening with oil (or butter), little pieces of garlic and browned bits of parmesan cheese. I have found this recipe works on just about any veggie you would like to roast in the oven on a cookie sheet. It’s a quick, and easy way to whip up a side dish. Plus, if you use foil, there is nothing to wash up. Even better.

Here is my version of Oven Roasted Broccoli. Roasted vegetables, of any kind, take on a much sweeter, richer flavor when cooked in the oven. This recipe is no exception. Each element elevates this simple side dish and makes it a featured item of the meal. The fresh garlic and parm makes the broccoli addictive. The little bits of lemon juice adds a freshness and zip to an otherwise plain vegetable. I hope you give it a try.

Oven Roasted Broccoli

Oven:  400 degrees
Time:  15 min
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 2 heads of fresh broccoli, washed and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil
• Parmesean cheese, grated
• salt, black pepper
• 1/2 lemon, juiced

Instructions:

1. Prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with foil or parchment paper.
2. Drizzle olive oil on the prepared sheet pan
3. Arrange chopped broccoli over the surface of the pan.
4. Sprinkle the top with garlic, cheese, salt, pepper, lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil
5. Toss the broccoli with your hands until all the pieces are covered with all the added ingredients.
6. Bake for 14 minutes...longer if you wish to have it more tender...but watch not to burn the edges.

Broccoli before adding ingredients for roasting.

Oven Roasted Broccoli in all of it’s delicious glory!

Technically, there is cheese on this broccoli, but it is more of an accent to the vegetable instead of an attempt to cover it up. I think your family will like it as much as mine does.

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend! Let me hear how this and any of my other recipes worked out for you!

As the mixing bowl turns,
Donna : - )