Crispy Broccoli with Gratinated Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 cabeza broccoli (Cut into florets; approximately 400 g of edible florets.)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (For coating the broccoli.)
• salt (To taste.)
• 1 tsp paprika (Sweet or smoked paprika may also be used.)
• 0.5 cup grated cheese (For sprinkling and broiling; mozzarella, cheddar, or another good-melting cheese is recommended.)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 220 °C (425 °F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat it with oil.

2. 2

   Boil the broccoli florets in water until tender but still holding their shape, approximately 4-5 minutes. Drain them very well to remove excess water.

3. 3

   Place the drained florets on the baking sheet and flatten them with the bottom of a glass or a spatula until they form broad, relatively thin pieces. Do not mash them; they should retain some texture.

4. 4

   Brush the surface of the flattened broccoli with the olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with salt and paprika.

5. 5

   Add the grated cheese on top of each piece of broccoli.

6. 6

   Bake for 5-7 minutes, until the edges are crisp and the cheese has melted and turned golden. If necessary, use the broiler during the last minute, watching carefully so the cheese does not burn.

7. 7

   Serve hot as a light side dish.

Notes

The quantities do not appear in the description or audio; they have been estimated for two servings. The 15-minute cooking time comes from the transcript and may vary depending on the size of the florets and the oven's power.

Nutrition per serving

• side dish
• low-carbohydrate
• diabetic-friendly
• vegetarian
• baked
• broccoli
• quick