We are seeing a lot of people doing really well with our recipes. We are also seeing that people are having a lot of success getting the people around them to eat them. This is such a big deal. If the people around you are supportive, your path to equilibrium becomes much smoother.
This recipe (Roasted Broccoli) in particular is highly likely to appeal to the taste buds of your family. It is extremely simple, and can get your family to eat much bigger quantities of broccoli than you ever thought possible.
The secret to this recipe is that when you roast broccoli (or other vegetables) at a high temperature, the area where the vegetables "sit" on the pan becomes carmelized. This process creates some amazing flavor, much more appealing than simple steamed broccoli. This process also can create a very wide array of flavor combinations.
Like all the PEERtrainer recipes, we present a basic recipe idea, and then encourage you to really make this your own. The most important thing to communicate is that this is easy to do. There is always some nervousness about cooking anything. Try this. It is way better than grilling it, way better than steaming it, and frankly way easier than making our energy soup.
One reason that we are focusing on this particular recipe right now is that a lot of you have said that you are struggling with that "inner voice" telling you to eat. Often, you are simply hungry and your body is asking you for more nutrients. Broccoli is highly nutrient dense, and this recipe can allow you to snack in a very healthy, yet tasty way.
What You Need:
Two bunches of broccoli
Cookie sheet
Salt and Pepper
Optional/Variable Ingredients:
Spices and Herbs (optional)
Garlic Cloves
Cauliflower
Anything else you think would taste good roasted. (Does Bacon roast well?)
How To Make It:
Preheat the over to 410 degrees. Cut up the broccoli into florets place on sheet. Drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix it up with your hands a little. Add anything else to the mix. Cook for 25 minutes.
That's it! Let it cool and serve.
If you add more items or other vegetables, note that two bunches of cut up broccoli will cover a standard cookie sheet. A great way to double this recipe is to use one bunch of cut up broccoli per cookie sheet and add other ingredients.
Cauliflower is an excellent addition, and roasts really well.
Warning!
The carmelization combined with the other ingredients makes for a very tasty recipe. Be very careful when you take this out of the oven. Let cool before letting your family know it is there because it will be eaten almost instantly. Burns and fights are a real risk.
Here is a quick before and after shot of our latest batch. We added some onions this time to experiment- they were not touched. The broccoli itself was devoured by a 4 year old and a 7 year old within minutes.
Before:
After:
What Is In Broccoli To Make It So Good: (from whfoods.com)
Literally everything on this list is associated with something awesome for you. For those of you who are struggling with the "voice telling you to eat" this is a great way of turning a negative into a positive. If you snack at night, for whatever reason, try making is and making it part of your snack routine.
To read a summary of the health benefits of broccoli, click here.
Related PEERtrainer Recipes and Resources:
Black Bean and Bacon Shortcut Soup
Latest From The PEERtrainer Recipe Blog
PEERtrainer Mediterranean Power Bowl
How To Make Perfect White Rice In Three Easy Steps
PEERtrainer Energy Soup Recipe
PEERtrainer Magic Fridge Recipe Guide
PEERtrainer Point Of No Return Program (When you know what to do, but need help doing it!)
don't stop with just broccoli and cauliflower. This recipe works for brussels sprouts...try it the almost tastes like french fries. its also great with carrots, beets and asparagus.
Posted by: Stacy | 04/09/2011 at 12:20 PM
Thanks Stacy, good to "know" this!
Posted by: PEERtrainer | 04/09/2011 at 12:29 PM
This is what I do with sweet potatoes! Cut them into big chunks, put in big chunks of sweet yellow onion, drizzle and toss with olive oil, s & p, garlic powder. But cook for between 40 min. and 1 hour depending on how soft you like them.
YUM.
I dip mine in ketchup when I'm feeling extra crazy :)
Posted by: Natalie | 04/09/2011 at 03:45 PM
Once I tried roasted cauliflower and asparagus, I stopped cooking them any other way. Cubed sweet potatoes tossed with OO and grated ginger are quick, too. Really easy to get dinner done...pop a couple pans in, make salad while waiting & dinner is ready 20 min later, loaded with veggies, with leftovers for next day. For my animal eaters, a pan of fish filets or chicken breasts cooks along side, too. If you have a busy work schedule, you can prep non-starchy vegetables a head of time and just pull out of fridge. Thanks for the suggestion to try broccoli...can't wait.
Posted by: Jen | 04/09/2011 at 05:28 PM
No joke, I did not like broccoli until I tried it this way - sooo goood!
My tip: LEMON JUICE! Squeeze some lemon juice over the finished product, and you will not believe your tastebuds, it's amazing! Definitely include some garlic when you roast it too. Asparagus and cauliflower make great companions, like people have mentioned. I love this dish so much I made it for *breakfast* last week... mmmm!
Posted by: Allison | 04/11/2011 at 05:42 PM