Broccoli Gratin

Boy, this was a real cookin' weekend in JBug's Kitchen and quite honestly JBug barely touched the surface of the long list of things that were accomplished. The big guy was in the culinary creating mood and cooked up a storm. While he put a beautiful bird on the rotisserie, I was happy to make this easy Broccoli Gratin to satisfy the vegetable requirement on last night's dinner plate.

What elevates this broccoli beyond the usual version with cheese is all in the sauce - a lovely bechamel, flavored with sauteed onions and garlic and finished with Madragal cheese, France's version of Swiss. I love the stuff as it's slightly more pungent than a regular swiss and melts to a creamy rich finish. It's wonderful stuff. Spiced up with cayenne, a touch of nutmeg and topped in buttered crumbs and grated cheese, this gratin had the big guy crowing for more, which is really something when you consider he has an aversion to green vegetables. 

Broccoli Gratin (adapted from dairygoodness.com)

2 bunches broccoli, trimmed and cut into chunks

1/4 cup butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1 onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup all purpose flour

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and cayenne pepper

1-1/2 cups grated Madrigal cheese, Swiss, or sharp cheddar

 

Crumb Topping:

1 cup bread crumbs

3 tablespoons melted butter

1/2 cup grated cheese

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Steam broccoli for 5 minutes or until just tender. Drain well and put into large shallow casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Melt butter in saucepan and sauté garlic and onion until onion is softened. Sprinkle in flour and cook stirring constantly for 3 minutes or so, until flour is well incorporated. Do not let onion brown! Whisk in milk, bring to a boil and add salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne pepper. Cook until sauce is thickened – about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Stir until cheese has melted.

Preheat oven to 350. Pour sauce over top of broccoli. Combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, grated cheese and parsley if using. Sprinkle over top of casserole. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until casserole is heated and topping has browned.  Serves 6.  Recipe may be cut in half. Download Broccoli Gratin

 

Comments

[Nanan]

That looks better than good - I bet William would even eat that broccoli!

[June]

I think it's the cheese that does it! LOL