I was so surprised by the enthusiasm with which this recipe was received that I forgot to come up with something appropriate to call it. Usually, when I cook a single head of broccoli, it’s just the right amount for three of us. Oh, we’ll finish it if there are two of us, but it’s a stretch. So imagine my surprise when it disappeared like ice cream on a hot summer day! I could have cooked two heads, and I think there still wouldn’t have been any leftovers.
My youngest was up for a visit recently. I was cooking Beef Tenderloin Roast With Cracked Pepper in the oven, so I wanted to do the veggies on the stovetop. I had a leftover head of broccoli I needed to use up, and it was the only fresh vegetable in the house. I’d run out of spoons (the metaphoric kind, not the literal ones; see Spoon Theory) and hadn’t made it to the grocery store. Broccoli is one of those veggies that most of my family will eat, but probably wouldn’t miss if I never made it, so I wanted something a little more interesting than plain steamed. I found several recipes online for stovetop broccoli, although I don’t remember exactly where. Nor, I’m afraid, do I recall which bits are my tweaks. Spoons, remember? In my head, I referred to the dish as “That Broccoli Thing That Everyone Liked So Much When Else Was Here That Time.” I never came up with anything better other than shortening it, so the name stuck.
Ingredients:
1 head of broccoli
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large garlic clove
½ teaspoon Off-the-Hook Homemade Jalapeño Hot Sauce (may substitute ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper)
⅛ teaspoon Penzeys or Diamond Crystal Kosher salt*
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons water
1 ounce (28 g) fresh parmesan cheese
* Due to differing crystal structures, some brands of kosher salt have a lot more per teaspoon than other brands.
Directions:
1.) Prep the ingredients before beginning to cook. Slice the garlic crosswise. Cut the broccoli into florets with about 2” (5 cm) stems. Cut the stems lengthwise up to but not through the flower heads, then gently pull apart. Continue until all the floret pieces are of similar size, about 1” (2.5 cm) diameter head. The wider stems can also be used. If they’re tough, peel them first. Cut into 1” (2.5 cm) discs about ¼” (0.6 cm) thick.
2.) Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat, then add the garlic slices. Stirring frequently, cook for a minute or so until garlic is golden brown. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a small prep bowl.
3.) Turn the heat up to medium-high. Add the water to the pan, then stir in the hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Keep your face out of the steam once you add the hot sauce. Take advantage of the water addition and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the broccoli, cover the pan, and cook for one to two minutes. Remove the cover and cook for another minute or two until most of the water has evaporated and the broccoli is crisp-tender and starting to brown.
4.) Stir in the garlic and transfer to a serving bowl. Grate the parmesan and shower it over the broccoli.
That Broccoli Thing
Ingredients
1 head of broccoli
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large garlic clove
½ teaspoon Homemade Jalapeno Hot Sauce(may substitute ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper)
⅛ teaspoon Penzeys or Diamond Crystal Kosher salt*
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons water
1 ounce (28 g) fresh parmesan cheese
* Due to differing crystal structures, some brands of kosher salt have a lot more per teaspoon than other brands.
Directions
1.) Prep the ingredients before beginning to cook. Slice the garlic crosswise. Cut the broccoli into florets with about 2” (5 cm) stems. Cut the stems lengthwise up to but not through the flower heads, then gently pull apart. Continue until all the floret pieces are of similar size, about 1” (2.5 cm) diameter head. The wider stems can also be used. If they’re tough, peel them first. Cut into 1” (2.5 cm) discs about ¼” (0.6 cm) thick.
2.) Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat, then add the garlic slices. Stirring frequently, cook for a minute or so until garlic is golden brown. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a small prep bowl.
3.) Turn the heat up to medium-high. Add the water to the pan, then stir in the hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Keep your face out of the steam once you add the hot sauce. Take advantage of the water addition and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the broccoli, cover the pan, and cook for one to two minutes. Remove the cover and cook for another minute or two until most of the water has evaporated and the broccoli is crisp-tender and starting to brown.
4.) Stir in the garlic and transfer to a serving bowl. Grate the parmesan and shower it over the broccoli.
julienne.red 
Great recipe!! A also appreciate you listing the nutritional information. Cheers!!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading.
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You bet!!
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You have probably had loads of these, but I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award for writing one of the best food blogs I follow. https://thefruitytart.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/the-sunshine-blogger-award-my-most-notable-blogging-nomination/
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Wow! Thanks so much, Liz! Nope, I don’t have tons of these, this is my very first. 😍You’re so kind to nominate me! Now I’m off to ponder your very intriguing questions…
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Thought you would probably have a lot!
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That you would think that is nearly as delightful to hear as was the nomination 🤗
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Loved this recipe. Will definitely make it. Plus your step by step pictures are really helpful 🙂 thanks for sharing
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Thanks! I hope you’ll come back & let me know how you liked it!
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This is something quick and super healthy 🙂 Thanks for sharing ! Keep Glittering, Love TGA by Misha ❤
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Isn’t it amazing how delicious healthy food can be? Thanks for stopping by!
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Indeed 🙂 can’t wait for more 😍😍
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I think I would call it Spicy Broccoli Rabe AuGratin. Sounds good though!
Peggy Costello UA Local 267 607-846-8424
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Surprisingly, it’s not particularly spicy. Good name suggestion, though, thanks!
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It’s always so fun to read your recipes. The way you tell your stories is so friendly and warm, as if you’re telling a good friend about it over coffee. One day I will try one of your recipes and it’ll be awesome, I’m sure!
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What a sweet thing to say! Thank you very much, and thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll let me know how you like whichever recipe you decide to try first!
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Mmm, love broccoli with garlic and hot pepper; it really jazzes it up.
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My youngest and my spouse certainly agree with you! Thanks!
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