Olive Oil–Poached Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon

Ingredients

• 2 lb Broccoli (Cut into florets, with tender stalks peeled and sliced if needed)
• 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil (Use a flavorful oil; reserve the oil in the baking dish for dipping with bread)
• 3 tbsp Water (Provides moisture for tenderizing the broccoli)
• 4 Garlic (Thinly sliced or finely chopped)
• 1 Lemon (Finely grate the zest directly over the broccoli after transferring it to a platter)
• Kosher salt (Season to taste)
• Crusty bread (For serving and dipping into the extra olive oil)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the broccoli in a covered baking dish large enough to hold it in a reasonably even layer.

2. 2

   Add the sliced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, water, and a generous seasoning of kosher salt to the baking dish. Toss to coat the broccoli thoroughly and distribute the garlic.

3. 3

   Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or its lid. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the broccoli stalks are very tender and supple when pierced with a knife.

4. 4

   Immediately remove the foil or lid when the dish comes out of the oven. Do not leave the broccoli covered while it cools, because condensed steam can drip onto it and turn the broccoli a dull green-gray color.

5. 5

   Transfer the broccoli to a serving platter, leaving the flavorful olive oil in the baking dish. Finely grate the lemon zest directly over the hot broccoli.

6. 6

   Serve warm with crusty bread for dipping into the remaining olive oil.

Notes

The source states that the recipe makes 4–6 servings and takes 45 minutes to cook. The full ingredient list and exact method were not visible in the supplied page excerpt, so the broccoli quantity, garlic amount, salt, oven temperature, and several preparation details are reconstructed estimates. The source specifically emphasizes removing the cover immediately after baking to prevent condensation and discoloration.

Nutrition per serving

• side dish
• vegetarian
• gluten-free without bread
• oven-roasted
• Mediterranean-inspired
• make-ahead friendly
• family-style