Charred Broccoli With Manchego, Hazelnuts, and Honey Recipe
The classic side dish of broccoli and cheese, made sophisticated.
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
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.
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.
Read more: Turn Broccoli With Cheese Into a Grown-Up Side Dish
- Yield:Serves 4 as a side
- Active time: 15 minutes
- Total time:15 minutes
- Rated:
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.
This Recipe Appears In
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