Global
Broccoli Cheese Bake
Tender broccoli in a light, creamy cheese sauce, baked golden: a comforting side that's mostly vegetables.
~35 mintotal~449 kcalper serving~29g protein~21g carbs~29g fat
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 2.
Ingredients
- 2 heads broccoli, in florets
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp wholemeal flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¾ cup grated cheddar
- 1 tsp mustard
- Salt & pepper
Cooking Steps
Steam the broccoli until just tender.
Make a light sauce: cook the flour in olive oil, whisk in the milk, then melt in most of the cheese and the mustard.
Toss the broccoli in the sauce in a baking dish.
Top with the rest of the cheese and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes.
Optional Enhancements
- Add cauliflower
- Dairy-free milk and cheese
- Sprinkle with seeds
Plant & Growing Tips
Broccoli
- Plant broccoli seedlings in rich, well-drained soil in a sunny location after the last expected frost.
- Provide consistent moisture, especially as heads begin to form, to prevent bolting and ensure good growth.
- Consider using row covers to protect young plants from early season pests.
Natural Pest Control
- Use floating row covers over broccoli plants to deter cabbage worms and cabbage loopers.
- Hand-pick any visible caterpillars or slugs from the leaves in the mornings.
- Spray broccoli plants with a neem oil solution to deter various pests, including aphids and whiteflies.
Harvest
Broccoli
- Harvest the central head of broccoli when the florets are tight, dark green, and firm, before they begin to yellow or flower.
- Cut the main stem at an angle about 6 inches below the head, leaving the plant to produce smaller side shoots for subsequent harvests.
Storing & Freezing
Fridge up to 3 days.
