Broccolini Cheddar Melt Recipes

BROCCOLINI-CHEDDAR MELTS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Steam broccolini until just tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and pat dry. Broil bread on baking sheet until lightly toasted, about 1 minute per side. Spread top side of each bread slice with mustard-flavored mayonnaise. Top each with onion slice, broccolini and cheese. Broil until cheese melts and browns, about 2 minutes.

ROASTED BROCCOLINI AND CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Remove and discard the bottom half of the broccolini stems. Cut the broccolini stems in half or quarters lengthwise, depending on the size of the stems. Don't cut the florets--just pull them apart. Place the broccolini on a sheet pan. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil on the broccolini and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss well, making sure the broccolini is lightly coated with oil. Spread the broccolini in one layer and roast for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing once with a metal spatula, until crisp-tender.
• Meanwhile, slice the Cheddar 1/4-inch thick and break it into large crumbles. When the broccolini is ready, sprinkle the cheese on the broccolini and return to the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, until the cheese just melts. Squeeze on the lemon juice, taste for seasonings, and serve hot.

BROCCOLI MELTS

Steps:

• If using broccolini, cut it into 2-inch segments. If using regular broccoli, peel the stems with a vegetable peeler first so that they cook evenly, then cut the rest into large chunks.
• Pour about a 1-inch puddle of salted water into a large saute pan and bring to a boil. Add the broccoli and cover with a lid; let boil/steam for 2 minutes. Drain well and pat dry on paper towels, wringing out as much extra liquid as possible. Chop into small (roughly 1/2-inch) bits.
• Wipe the saute pan dry and heat over medium. Add the olive oil and let it heat for a full minute. Add the garlic and pepper flakes, cooking until the garlic is just beginning to turn golden, about 1 minute. Add the broccoli and cook 1 to 2 minutes more, seasoning with salt. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the lemon zest and juice, Pecorino and more salt and pepper flakes to taste.
• Preheat the broiler. Arrange the slices of bread on a baking sheet and lightly toast on both sides. Scoop the broccoli mixture onto each slice of bread, lay a slice of provolone over it and run under the broiler until the cheese has melted and begun to blister. Eat. Repeat. Don't forget to share, or at least hide the evidence if you decide not to.

BROCCOLI-CHEDDAR FRITTATA

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Whisk eggs, cream, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Set aside.
• Melt butter in a 12-inch nonstick, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat until bubbly. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chopped broccoli and cook, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Add potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Lightly season vegetables with additional salt and pepper.
• Gently pat the vegetables into an even layer with the back of a spatula or spoon and turn off the heat. Sprinkle cheese over the vegetables, followed by bacon.
• Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and gently shake to eliminate any holes around the vegetables. Let the residual heat cook the eggs slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Check for doneness by using a knife to cut the center slightly. Eggs should not be runny enough to fill the cut. Allow to cool in the skillet for 5 minutes before serving.

BROCCOLINI CHEDDAR MELT

Steps:

• Rinse the broccolini and chop it into 1/2 inch-long pieces. In a skillet on medium-high heat, cook the broccolini and the garlic in the oil for 4 or 5 minutes, until the broccolini is bright green and just tender. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add about 1/4 cup of water to the pan and steam the broccolini until the water has evaporated. Remove from the heat.
• While the broccolini cooks, toast the bread. Grate the cheese or cut it into thin slices. Spread mustard on the toast and place on a broiler pan.
• Top each piece of toast with cooked broccolini and then cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve hot, open-faced.
• Ingredient Note
• Broccolini, a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale, was introduced in supermarket produce departments a few years ago. It is milder tasting and more tender than broccoli, and the stalks don't need to be peeled.
• Serving & menu idea
• For soup and sandwich night, have some Red Bean, Potato & Arugula Soup (page 124).

SIMPLE BROCCOLINI

Steps:

• Fill a large skillet with 1 to 2 inches of water and bring to a boil; add broccolini and cook until bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer broccolini to a strainer and drain water from skillet.
• Heat olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir garlic in the hot oil until golden and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Return broccolini to frying pan using tongs; cook and stir until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice over broccoli and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.