Broccoli Cheese Bake
2 broccoli crowns, cleaned, steamed for 10 minutes
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cream
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp cornflake crumbs
I decided to steam the broccoli in a pot today, but I also like to use my countertop steamer. Whichever way you do it, you just want to make sure it's not overcooked and squishy.
So green and fresh. |
Then to make the quick cheese sauce. First, the roux. Equal parts flour and butter. Lightly cook to take the raw flavor off the flour. About a minute or two.
Thickening agents. |
I used ready to go shredded cheese. Remember, this was meant to be fast and easy. (We're all in a hurry, right?)
Mmm, a great match for broccoli. |
Add the milk and cream to the roux, toss in the salt and cheese. If the sauce gets a little too thick for you after whisking for a while, you can always thin it out with a few tablespoons of water.
Cheese sauce isn't hard to make. You should do it more often. |
Whisk until creamy, velvety smooth. No lumps. (Mmm, makes me think of fondue. I need some dipping bread or apple slices!)
Delicious. Plain and simple. |
Now to build up the layers. I used Trader Joe's frozen jasmine rice for the base. When you're on the go in the warm weather, you may, like me, prefer your rice to be ready in three speedy minutes and announced with a familiar and comforting *ding*.
A bed on which broccoli can lay. |
On top of the rice, I layered up the broccoli all pretty like. In a giant floral pattern. Just because you're moving fast doesn't mean ya gotta be sloppy!
Layer number two. |
Spoon the cheese sauce over the top of the broccoli. Oh yeah, now it's gettin' real good.
Just like hot fudge sauce on top of a broccoli sundae. (Wait. That didn't come out right.) |
And all good casseroles need a crunchy topping to finish them off. So I sprinkled a bit of cornflake crumbs on top. Just enough to add another texture element to the dish.
Need a little crisp to complete. |
Into a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. It doesn't take long because all the ingredients are already cooked and warm.
Baked and beautiful. |
A hearty-sized scoop that is an amalgamation of some of each of the layers is a good start. A little of everything in each bite. And a new way to enjoy your broccoli.
Yum yum. |
Another variation would be to add some cooked, cubed chicken. Protein always welcome. That wouldn't take too long to cook up and add in either! Quick can be tasty and doesn't have to come in a frozen block or paper bag from a drive through. You can use fresh ingredients, creatively, and.... never mind, I gotta get going.
I love broccoli casserole and may give this a try but modified to suit my dairy and gluten needs. This does look fast yet tummy! The worst part of cooking is cleaning up..
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