Charred Broccoli With Manchego, Hazelnuts, and Honey Recipe

The classic side dish of broccoli and cheese, made sophisticated.

By
Sohla El-Waylly
Sohla El-Waylly

Sohla El-Waylly is a culinary creator, video host, and CIA graduate whose work can be found on Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food52, YouTube, and more.

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Updated Mar. 21, 2019
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Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Cooking the broccoli rapidly minimizes the development of bitter flavors, and the high heat produces sweetness through caramelization.
  • A touch of honey enhances the caramelized flavors of the charred broccoli and balances the cheese's salty bite.

Broccoli and cheese gets a grown-up treatment with this easy update to the classic. The broccoli is cooked hot and fast under a broiler to develop some char, instead of being blandly steamed or boiled, then cloaked in a blizzard of finely shaved Manchego cheese in place of the orange stuff. A final touch of toasted hazelnuts and honey tops off the florets.

Recipe Facts

5

(4)

Active: 15 mins
Total: 15 mins
Serves: 4 servings

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Ingredients

  • 1 head broccoli (about 1 pound; 450g), stem end trimmed and stalk peeled of tough skin

  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) extra-virgin olive oil

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Fresh juice from 1/2 lemon (about 1 tablespoon; 15ml)

  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) honey

  • 1/3 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts (about 2 ounces; 55g)

  • 4 ounces (115g) Manchego cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat the broiler to high and place a rimmed aluminum half-sheet pan 6 inches below it.

  2. Cut broccoli head in half lengthwise, then cut each half into individual florets, each with a long spear of stem attached. In a large mixing bowl, toss broccoli with olive oil and salt, rubbing it well with your hands to coat evenly and thoroughly.

  3. Arrange broccoli on preheated sheet tray, then broil until nicely charred in spots, about 5 minutes. (Keep a close eye on it, as different broilers have different power levels.)

  4. Transfer broiled broccoli to a serving plate and season with black pepper. Sprinkle lemon juice all over, followed by honey and hazelnuts. Using a Microplane grater, grate Manchego cheese generously all over. Serve immediately.

Special equipment

Rimmed half-sheet tray, Microplane grater

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
399 Calories
30g Fat
25g Carbs
14g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 399
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 30g 38%
Saturated Fat 9g 46%
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 326mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 25g 9%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 75mg 375%
Calcium 321mg 25%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 460mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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