Fresh baked broccoli with a crunch
- Carbohydrate 4.456965 g
- Cholesterol 1.375 mg
- Fat 8.59983125 g
- Fiber 2.16009999917448 g
- Protein 2.8760525 g
- Saturated Fat 1.397290125 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (85g)
- Sodium 247.292875 mg
- Sugar 2.29686500082552 g
- Trans Fat 0.275074875000002 g
- Calories 100 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven to 425
- Line pan with foil
- Place broccoli florets on pan
- Toss with olive oil, and. sprinkle with pepper, salt and garlic powder
- Add chopped garlic
- Place in oven for 10-15 minutes (oven and broccoli size may vary) Watch it carefully so it doesn't burn, when broccoli starts to brown it's done.
- Take out of oven and add/squeeze lemon juice on broccoli.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve!
When working with a high oven temperature of 425 degrees Fahrenheit, moisture is the primary enemy of achieving proper char and crispness on cruciferous vegetables. Thoroughly drying washed florets prevents steaming, allowing the extra virgin olive oil to conduct direct heat against the surface cells of the vegetable for optimal browning. Because the surface area of florets varies wildly across a single bag, smaller pieces will inevitably caramelize faster than thick stalks, requiring careful visual monitoring during the final three minutes of roasting.
Managing Texture and Heat
Roasting green vegetables demands aggressive thermal energy, which is why preheating the baking sheet alongside the oven creates immediate sizzle upon contact. When pulling the pan at the first sign of dark edges, immediately apply acidic components like fresh lemon juice to halt the residual cooking process while the exterior is still porous enough to absorb the liquid. Grated parmesan should be added strictly after removing the pan from the heat source so the cheese melts into a nutty crust rather than rendering its fats out onto the foil.
- Ensure the oven rack sits in the middle position to distribute radiant heat evenly across the sheet pan.
- Pat florets with paper towels until completely matte; any residual water droplet will cause localized boiling instead of roasting.
- Store leftover roasted broccoli in an airtight container for up to three days, though reheating must happen in a hot skillet rather than a microwave to restore crunch.
