Another Accomplishment this week! Broccoli!

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Besides the Doctor's Visits, Grocery Shopping, Gardening, and Strawberries, another thing I did this week is prepare an abundance of fresh Broccoli.

I cut the heads into small bite size pieces, and blanch them in boiling water for 1 minute. Then I immediately scoop them into a bowl of ice water.














This stops the cooking. And they are ready to package up for the freezer, or put them in a container for the fridge until ready to use. They are perfect for cold salads, dips, hors d'oevres or you add them to your favorite recipe for a hot entree with dinner.


I also prepared the stalks in a similar way, to use in soups or chopped up in stir fries.
OOPS!!!! That was the last straw! Notice the water now overflowing the lip of this bowl!
A little extra cleanup time!!!!

Oh well - stuff happens!

Then they are drained and packaged up into serving sizes. Some for the freezer, and some in the fridge for immediate use.

Here is a recipe I found online this week: from Gourmet magazine:

CREAMED BROCCOLI WITH PARMESAN
yield: Makes 4 servings
active time: 20 min
total time: 30 min
Broccoli seems like something new in this rich, satisfyingly chunky side dish, dolled up with parmesan and lemon juice.

Ingredients
1 bunch broccoli (1 1/4 pounds)
1 cup heavy cream
2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
3 tablespoons grated parmesan
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Preparation
Peel broccoli stems, then coarsely chop stems and florets. Cook broccoli in boiling salted water (1 1/2 teaspoons salt for 4 quarts water) until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain in a colander and run under cold water to stop cooking.
Simmer cream, garlic, nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a medium saucepan, uncovered, until slightly thickened and reduced to about 2/3 cup, about 5 minutes.
Add broccoli and simmer, mashing with a potato masher, until coarsely mashed and heated through, about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in parmesan and lemon juice.
Cooks' note: Broccoli can be boiled 1 day ahead and chilled.