As I look out upon my beautiful garden, I can't help but reminisce about the old Saturday Night Live skit "Choppin' Broccoli". It may have something to do with the fact that I have 16 heads of broccoli all matured at the same time. Broccoli flowers if not picked quickly and doesn't save too well, so, it is broccoli everything for the next two weeks. My kids can't wait! Here is today's harvest alone:
I have to get a bit creative in using all of this broccoli as steamed broccoli can only be taken in so much quantity. It is time to pull out the recipe's and disguise it 14 different ways. If you are in the same boat I am in, here is last nights yummy little dish that 5 out of 6 consumers really loved.
No, this is not baby food or guacamole, broccoli style, it is Broccoli pesto, just right for a pizza. I make several batches and freeze it for pasta, dips and pizza sauces. It is so easy and so nutritious. You really would never know that it is broccoli.
The finished product. Not such a great picture but definitely great taste. I cheated and used the multi grain crust from fresh and easy, delicious and healthy all for a low price of $1.24. I had some pre-grilled chicken in the freezer, chopped some red peppers, added some mozzarella and feta and delish! If you are so bold as to try this recipe out , here you go. Quick and Easy! And.... just a little note.... for those of you who do NOT have a garden, planting season is coming up, end of February so get with it! I have planted in small pots, grow boxes and anywhere I had space. We need to be self reliant and grow something for ourselves. It tastes great and is so much better for you, especially when you don't let the pest control company spray. There, enough said. Enjoy!
Broccoli Pesto
(I believe this is from Chef Brad?)
(I believe this is from Chef Brad?)
1 stalk steamed fresh broccoli
1 /2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Romano cheese
1/4 cup pine nuts
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
Process all ingredients except oil in blender or food processor. Add oil slowly until well blended and absorbed.
* I usually leave mine a little bit more chunky but my broccoli in this batch was steamed way too much, still great taste just more pureed.
1 /2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Romano cheese
1/4 cup pine nuts
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
Process all ingredients except oil in blender or food processor. Add oil slowly until well blended and absorbed.
* I usually leave mine a little bit more chunky but my broccoli in this batch was steamed way too much, still great taste just more pureed.
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13 comments:
I am impressed! What a beautiful garden! I am hoping to get this going in my backyard in the next month. Do you know of a website with helpful hints and pointers to start a garden?
We LOVE broccoli! Two of my favorites are Chicken and Broccoli Casserole (over rice) and Cream of Broccoli Soup! (I am sure you could find alterations for it) Click on my profile and click on Stewart family food.
How funny that you would post about broccoli! I walked down to the grocery store with Jake the other day and left with a bunch of broccoli. I happen to LOVE broccoli and have been eating it for the last week. Dave won't touch it. Ha!
You're garden looks great. Thanks for the great idea on using broccoli.
P.S. did I say I was jealous of your garden? My backyard is all concrete...impossible for a garden. Sad, very sad!
Wow, homegrown brocolli must taste sooo good. Good for you! I'm so jealous of your garden. I wish I had a garden, everytime I've ever tried to grow anything it's never worked and I've given up. You need to teach me how?!?
What a gorgeous garden! Do you drip line or till between rows to keep it so immaculate? What is your secret?
The pesto recipe sounds delish!
I am such a simple gardener. I do not drip line. I put the hose in the middle row and leave it on low until the whole side fills up. It just overflows over each row. I usually rotatill once a year and I pull weeds and rake between rows about once every two weeks. It is very little work. I water every few days but really don't pay much attention to it other than that. A little cow manure, one application of miracle grow and regular water! The big secret is worms! I ordered some red wiggler worms when I first put the garden in.
If you have any extra broccoli that you need to unload, I would gladly take a head off your hands (you could bring it tonight). I love it! BTW, your garden looks amazing, as always. I need to plant one on my side yard - I have plenty of room and no excuse.
LOVE your garden. It is so organized. I've never been able to get brocolli, something always eats it! Any tips?
Love the garden. I am excited to start planting:)
Have you tried freezing the broccoli? Cut into florettes, blanch in boiling water for a minute or two, cool quickly in ice water. Then you spread it out on a cookie sheet and put in freezer until firm. Put into freezer bags or containers and there you go! No sense in the kids getting sick of broccoli when you can be enjoying it for months! Love, Aunt Betsy
Thanks Aunt Betsy. I was just going to post about freezing brocolli. I like to eat as much as I can of the fresh stuff then freeze the rest since it doesn't quite taste the same that way. Thanks for posting the info for me.
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