So apparently you guys really like broccoli.  Who knew?  Not one of my favourite vegetables but for some reason when I think of eating healthy it’s the first one that comes to mind.  I think the only time I like it is when it’s smothered in cheese and baked into a pastry dish or casserole.  I know, real healthy.

Benefits of Broccoli

First off, did you know that these little green trees have some serious health benefits? Check this out:

• Rich in dietary fibre, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin B6, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B1, and vitamin K
• Minerals include calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, sodium and potassium.  It also contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
• Aids in digestion & detoxification – the rich fibre content helps to get rid of toxins through the digestive tract, keeps the stomach lining healthy, prevents constipation and curbs overeating
• Anti-Aging – rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, it helps to fight free radicals responsible for aging.  Helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and skin issues like acne and pigmentation
• Heart Health – the inflammatory properties of broccoli help in regulating blood pressure and reducing bad cholesterol

I mean if those aren’t enough reasons to start incorporating broccoli into your daily diet I don’t know what are.

For my recipe, I wanted to keep it simple so I could take as much advantage of the health properties as I could.

The Recipe

What you’ll need:

2 heads of broccoli
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
4-5 cloves of diced garlic
Lemon Juice
Parmesan (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
2. Cut your broccoli heads into smaller size florets (medium size is a good benchmark)
3. Ensure that your broccoli is VERY dry
4. In a large mixing bowl toss them with olive oil until well coated
5. Sprinkle salt and pepper liberally
6. Add the garlic and toss to mix
7. Spread the broccoli out on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned and crisp
8. Remove from the oven and squeeze fresh lemon over the broccoli
9. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese if you choose

And voila, easy side dish. They didn’t turn out as crispy as I would hope but I wonder if that’s because I didn’t let them dry as much after washing.

Let me know if you guys try this recipe and what you thought!