**Creamy Broccoli Stem Gratin: A Culinary Symphony of Texture and Flavor**
Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, reigns supreme in the culinary world for its nutritional prowess and versatility. While its florets often steal the spotlight, the humble broccoli stem, often cast aside, holds a treasure trove of untapped potential. In this article, we'll embark on a culinary journey to transform these underrated stems into a delectable dish: Creamy Broccoli Stem Gratin. This exceptional recipe showcases the true essence of broccoli stems, elevating them from mere scraps to culinary stars.
Our culinary adventure begins with a medley of broccoli stems, sliced and diced to uniform perfection. These stems, once deemed unworthy, are now poised to take center stage. Sautéed in a symphony of butter, garlic, and shallots, they exude an aromatic allure that awakens the senses. The addition of all-purpose flour creates a velvety roux, the foundation for a luscious and creamy sauce. Milk, poured in a steady stream, transforms the roux into a smooth and decadent béchamel, enveloping the broccoli stems in a warm embrace.
Seasoned with a whisper of salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg, the béchamel sauce elevates the broccoli stems to new heights of flavor. A generous sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese infuses the gratin with a savory umami punch, while a touch of Dijon mustard adds a piquant depth that lingers on the palate. The culmination of these culinary elements orchestrates a harmonious balance of textures and flavors, a true testament to the transformative power of cooking.
Once assembled, the gratin is adorned with a golden-brown breadcrumb crust, a textural masterpiece that complements the creamy interior. Baked to perfection, the gratin emerges from the oven, its irresistible aroma permeating the air. Each spoonful reveals a symphony of tender broccoli stems, enveloped in a velvety béchamel sauce, and crowned with a crispy breadcrumb topping. The flavors dance upon the tongue, leaving a lasting impression of culinary delight.
In addition to the main recipe, this article also presents a collection of variations to suit diverse tastes and preferences. For a vegetarian twist, the gratin can be prepared with vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, creating a hearty and flavorful dish that caters to plant-based diets. Those seeking a touch of indulgence can incorporate bacon or ham into the recipe, adding a smoky and savory dimension.
For those with gluten sensitivities, a gluten-free breadcrumb topping can be easily substituted, ensuring that everyone can savor the delectable flavors of this culinary masterpiece. The article also explores the art of using different cheese varieties, from sharp cheddar to creamy Gruyère, each imparting a unique character to the gratin.
With its versatility and boundless potential, Creamy Broccoli Stem Gratin stands as a testament to the culinary magic that can be conjured from humble ingredients. Whether served as a main course or a delectable side dish, this dish is sure to impress and delight. So, gather your ingredients and embark on this culinary journey, transforming ordinary broccoli stems into an extraordinary gratin that will leave your taste buds singing.
BROCCOLI GRATIN
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 side-dish servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Butter an 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish or an 8-cup gratin dish.
- Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and nutmeg and bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the white sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with pepper. Remove from the heat.
- Meanwhile, bring about 1-inch of water to a boil in a large saucepan and set up a collapsible steamer on top. Put the broccoli in the steamer and season with salt. Cover, and steam until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Put the broccoli in the prepared dish, sprinkle with half of the cheese and pour on the sauce. Cover with the remaining cheese.
- Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Cover the gratin with the bread crumbs. Bake until lightly browned and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
- Copyright 2005 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.
CREAMY BROCCOLI CASSEROLE
RECIPE VIDEO ABOVE. This is the broccolli version of Cauliflower Cheese! Tender broccoli smothered in a creamy garlic-parmesan cheese sauce which is pretty much the one I use for everybody's favoure Mac and Cheese. It's nice and saucy, rather than being stodgy and so thick you can cut into it like cake, so there's extra cheese sauce to spoon over once served.
Provided by Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- Mix Topping ingredients in a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until it smells incredible.
- Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- While whisking, slowly pour in half the milk. Once fully incorporated, whisk in the remaining milk plus the chicken broth.
- Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, whisking every now and then and more towards the end, until the sauce thickens so that it coats the back of a wooden spoon and when you draw your finger across it, the path stays (see video).
- Turn off heat, add cheeses, stir in (don't worry if it doesn't melt fully). Then do a taste test and add a bit of salt if required.
- Add broccoli and stir well to coat.
- Pour into a casserole dish, pat down to fill. Sprinkle over Topping, cover with foil then bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for a further 20 minutes until the topping is deep golden and the broccoli is tender.
- Stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 359 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving
BLISSED-OUT CRISPY CHEESY BROCCOLI GRATIN
Limited surface area. This is the problem with a broccoli gratin made in a casserole-style baking dish, meaning the ratio of crispy-cheesy-crumb-y topping to soft, tender broccoli is just way under optimal balance. With a sheet pan, however, every single morsel of broccoli gets an ample coating of crunch. You know what else is awesome? With a preheated sheet pan (see note), the time it takes to roast the broccoli is minimal-I'm talking 15 minutes, tops, for caramelized edges and florets. Meaning you can hit broccoli bliss in under 20 minutes. Are you in?
Provided by Raquel Pelzel
Categories Small Plates Quick & Easy Side Broccoli Cheddar Parmesan Vegetarian Cheese Sheet Pan Kid-Friendly
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Adjust one oven rack to the upper-middle position and another rack to the position. Place a rimmed sheet pan on the middle rack and preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil and salt in a medium-size bowl. Turn the broccoli out onto the hot sheet pan (it should sizzle!) and roast until the bottom of the florets are nicely browned, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the butter and garlic in a ramekin and place it in the oven until the butter melts, 5 minutes. (Alternatively, combine them in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high power in 15-second increments, swirling between each, until the butter melts, 45 seconds to 1 minute.)
- Place the bread crumbs in a medium-size bowl, add the butter-garlic mixture, and toss with a fork. Add the Cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses and toss to combine.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven and sprinkle the broccoli with the cheesy bread crumb mixture. Turn the broiler to high and place the sheet pan on the upper rack. Broil until the cheese is melted and browned, 1 to 2 minutes (watch the bread crumbs closely as broiler intensities vary and you don't want them to burn). Remove from the oven, transfer to a platter-making sure to scrape up all of the crispy, crunchy cheesy bits-and serve.
BROCCOLI GRATIN
Did you leave your broccoli in the steamer a few minutes too long? No problem! Over-cooked broccoli is perfect for this cheesy gratin. Simply top it with seasoned breadcrumbs, broil, and serve!
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450˚ F. Set up a steamer basket in a 3-quart saucepan. Add enough water to come up to the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets to the basket, cover and cook until the broccoli is soft and nearly falling apart but still holds its shape, about 15 minutes.
- Transfer the broccoli to a large bowl. Add the butter and gently toss; season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the broccoli in an even layer in a 2-quart baking dish. Combine the gruyere, panko, melted butter and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and sprinkle over the broccoli.
- Bake until the cheese melts and the top is golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
BROCCOLI GRATIN
Provided by Amanda Freitag
Categories side-dish
Time 55m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven 375 degrees F. Put some ice and cold water in a bowl. Bring a pot of salted water up to a boil. Add the broccoli, cook it for 2 minutes, and then transfer it to the ice water to stop cooking. Drain and set aside.
- Put the bacon in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook until crispy, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the bacon, set aside, and reserve the fat in saucepan.
- Turn the heat to medium-low heat, add the bacon and cook for 1 minute. Add the flour, and cook, whisking, until it starts to smell nutty and is a bit darker, 5 to 7 minutes; this is a roux. Slowly whisk the milk in to create a sauce with gravy-like consistency. Stir in the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Turn the heat to low and stir the Cheddar. Once the cheese has melted, take the saucepan off the heat.
- Combine the panko and olive oil in a medium bowl. Coat a large baking dish or individual ramekins with non-stick cooking spray. Toss the broccoli with the cheese sauce and bacon. Put the mixture in the baking dish or ramekins, top it with the panko mixture and bake until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot.
Tips:
- Select fresh, tender broccoli stems: Look for stems that are firm and bright green with tightly closed florets. Avoid stems that are woody or have yellow or brown spots.
- Clean and trim the broccoli stems: Use a sharp knife to trim off the tough ends of the stems. Then, use a vegetable peeler to remove any tough outer layer. Cut the stems into 1-2 inch pieces.
- Blanch the broccoli stems (optional): Blanching the stems helps to preserve their color and crispness. To blanch the stems, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli stems and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are tender but still slightly crisp. Drain the stems and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Use a variety of cheeses: This recipe calls for a combination of Parmesan, Gruyère, and cheddar cheeses. You can substitute other types of cheeses, such as mozzarella, fontina, or Gouda.
- Season the gratin to taste: Be sure to taste the gratin before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, garlic powder, or onion powder.
Conclusion:
This creamy broccoli stem gratin is a delicious and easy way to use up leftover broccoli stems. It's a great side dish for any meal, and it's also a healthy and satisfying vegetarian main course. With its creamy, cheesy sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping, this gratin is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you have some leftover broccoli stems, don't throw them away! Make this creamy broccoli stem gratin instead.
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