Broccoli and Blue Cheese Gratin
User Reviews
5
Broccoli and Blue Cheese Gratin
Description
The Broccoli and Blue Cheese Gratin starts by steaming trimmed broccoli heads until fork-tender, then cooling and roughly chopping the florets. Bread crumbs are toasted in butter until golden to add crispy topping texture. A roux is made by melting butter and mixing in flour, then slowly whisking in milk to create a smooth béchamel sauce. Crumbled blue cheese is stirred into the sauce, melding creamy sharpness throughout.
The broccoli and blue cheese sauce are combined and transferred to a buttered gratin dish. The toasted bread crumbs are sprinkled atop the surface, adding a nutty crunch after baking. Baking at moderate heat warms the mixture through and browns the crumbs, enhancing aroma and flavor depth.
This gratin pairs well as a vegetable side for roasted meats or holiday meals. It can be assembled up to a day ahead, keeping components refrigerated separately for freshness. Leftovers keep refrigerated up to four days but do not freeze well due to the cheese sauce consistency.
Ingredients
- 3 heads broccoli
- 3 1/2 tablespoons butter plus more for the baking dish, unsalted
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk whole
- 1/2 teaspoon salt fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 to 2 ounces blue cheese preferably Bleu d’Auvergne or Gorgonzola, crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Lightly butter a gratin or 8- or 9-inch baking dish.
- Trim and discard the thick stalks from the broccoli. Cut each head in half lengthwise.
- Place the broccoli in a steamer rack set over boiling water, cover, and steam until easily pierced with a fork, 7 to 12 minutes or so, depending on the size. Drain and rinse the broccoli under cold running water, then coarsely chop it. Drain it again, then transfer it to a bowl.
- Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, melt 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer to a plate, and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter has melted, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the flour until smooth.
- Return the pan to low heat and slowly pour in 1/2 cup of the milk, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in another 1/2 cup of milk. Add the salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened again, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk in the remaining 1/2 cup milk and simmer until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes longer. Stir in the blue cheese and cook, stirring, just until melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Pour the sauce over the broccoli and turn gently to mix. Spoon the mixture into the prepared gratin dish, smooth the surface, and top with the buttered bread crumbs. Cut the remaining butter into bits and dot the top.
- Bake until bubbling around the edges and golden on top, about 20 minutes. Serve hot.
Notes
- Prepare broccoli, toasted crumbs, and blue cheese sauce up to one day in advance for convenience.
- Store sauce and broccoli separately in refrigeration before assembling and baking.
- Pre-cut broccoli can save time; two standard bags approximate three heads of broccoli.
- Keep leftovers refrigerated up to 4 days; avoid freezing to maintain sauce texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6to 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 251 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1portion | |
| Calories | 251kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 29mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 453mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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