Roasted Crowns of Broccoli with Preserved Lemon Yogurt – Recipe!

If I was only allowed to eat one vegetable, it would be broccoli.  Not because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals and is higher in vitamin C than an orange, but because I love it’s versatility and the way it tastes.  Broccoli doesn’t require a lot of fuss or complicated slicing or dicing because it is perfect eating just the way it is – in a crown.

To me, broccoli is best when roasted because the florets get a little charred, while the interior softens and becomes tender.  I love the idea of a vegetable being tossed on a sheet pan sprinkled with a little salt and pepper, and cooked at high heat – simplicity at its best.

This recipe was made when I was feeling like getting a little creative with yogurt and preserved lemon.  For those of you that still have a jar of preserved lemon in your refrigerator – yogurt is a great vehicle to get your inner Picasso on.  Presentation is everything and swirling the lemony yogurt around the bowl is just plain fun – try it, you’ll see. If by chance you didn’t prepare any preserved lemons, you can always use the zest and juice of a lemon – you don’t want to miss out on this recipe.

The combination of sweet roasted broccoli and tangy citrus yogurt is just magical, and I could personally eat the whole bowl, but I won’t because like everything in life – we must share.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

3 medium-sized crowns of broccoli

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/4 preserved lemon – finely diced, or zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

1 teaspoon honey

salt & pepper

vegetable oil, for pan

(Serves 2-4)

To Prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Wash and slice off 3-inches of bottom of each stem of broccoli.  Peel 2-inches of each stem. Drizzle sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of oil and roll each crown around pan to coat.  Sprinkle each crown with salt and pepper.  Roast in oven for 30 minutes, or until fork tender.

2.  While broccoli is roasting, in a large bowl – add yogurt, preserved lemon (or zest and juice of 1/2 lemon) and honey, stir to combine.  Smear yogurt around the bowl, pretty fun huh?

3.  Remove broccoli from oven and stack it slightly in any presentation you prefer.  Serve immediately.