Time: 1 hour.
Complexity: easily
Servings: 4-6

This delicious and healthy broccoli gratin looks very festive and is perfect for special occasions, yet it's surprisingly easy to prepare. Broccoli florets are steamed until half-done, topped with béchamel sauce, sprinkled with grated cheddar and breadcrumbs, and then baked in the oven until the white sauce and cheese combine to create a delicious mixture, nestling tender broccoli pieces coated in a crispy topping.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
• 3 tbsp. premium flour
• 1.5 cups whole milk
• 1.5 tsp coarse salt + more as needed
• A pinch of grated nutmeg
• 0.9 kg broccoli (about 4 heads), cut into small florets (about 8 cups)
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar (about 110 g)
• 0.5 cup fresh bread crumbs

Substituting ingredients
Measuring containers used

1 glass (st.) - 250 ml.
3/4 cup (st.) - 180 ml.
2/3 cup (st.) - 160 ml.
1/2 cup (st.) - 125 ml.
1/3 cup (st.) - 80 ml.
1/4 cup (st.) - 60 ml.
1 tablespoon (tbsp) - 15 ml.
1 teaspoon (tsp) - 5 ml.
1/5 teaspoon (tsp) - 1 ml.

Recipes with similar ingredients

butter, premium flour, milk, nutmeg, broccoli cabbage, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs

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Preparation:

Step 1
• Position the oven rack on the middle shelf and preheat to 230°C. Grease a 20x20x5 cm baking dish or an 8-cup gratin dish with butter.
Step 2
• In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour until smooth. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the milk, 1.5 teaspoons of salt, and nutmeg, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the white sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Season with pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
Step 3
• Meanwhile, bring about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water to a boil in a large saucepan and place the steamer basket on top. Add the broccoli to the steamer and season with salt. Cover and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to the prepared dish, sprinkle with half the cheese, and drizzle with the sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Step 4
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle the gratin with the bread crumbs. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the gratin is golden brown. Serve immediately.

Votes: 30