I'm not sure if this is as much a recipe as it is a reminder or suggestion of how to step up your broccoli serving ideas. Honestly, I love broccoli, I don't think it's boring, bland or blech...and if you do, you just need to tap into your creativity and come up with a way you can enjoy it. Why miss out on the healthy vitamins broccoli brings to the table.
When it comes to basic nutrients, broccoli is a mother lode. Ounce for ounce, boiled broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange and as much calcium as a glass of milk, (according to the USDA's nutrient data). One medium spear has three times more fiber than a slice of wheat bran bread. And broccoli is also one of the richest sources of vitamin A in the produce section.
Convinced yet? Broccoli has also been found to be rich in substances called isothiocyanates chemicals shown to stimulate the body's production of its own cancer-fighting substances, called phase two enzymes. According to researchers, these enzymes, in turn, neutralize potential cancer-causing substances before they have a chance to damage the DNA of healthy cells. Eat-up people.
So how can we get our kids to eat more broccoli? I wish I knew. I have one son who will munch "the trees off the trunks" and another who would pass out if broccoli made it into his mouth. Go figure.
I am grateful to now have an indoor grill which has made making veggies a new-fun-daily experience. However, you don't need an indoor grill...if you are firing up outside, throw your broccoli spears on with the meat. Grilling the lemons and then squeezing them onto the finished spears creates another layer of flavor. It's just dang good.
So, eat your broccoli, you're mother was right when she told you it was good for you!
Grilled Broccoli and Lemons
1 bunch of broccoli
2 lemons, halved or quartered
2 Tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Salt & pepper
Cut 1 bunch of broccoli into about 8 large spears and cut lemons in halves or in quarters, whatever you choose. In a large bowl, toss with a couple tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the broccoli and lemons over medium heat, turning occasionally until the spears are tender and slightly charred, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Squeeze the lemons over the broccoli and drizzle with additional olive oil.
Cathy is currently in the development stages of her vineyard andwinery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. She is a food writer forDavis Life Magazine and blogs daily about wine, food and everydayliving. She lives with her husbandand two sons. You can visit her at noblepig.com.