"Crack" Roasted Broccoli
Ben and Birdy's original "Crack Broccoli" recipe earned its name by being "the first thing to disappear at a party." When my sister-in-law made it for dinner, we couldn't get enough, and got a good laugh out of the recipe name. This reliable, easy roasted broccoli with just three core ingredients is a perfect accompaniment for steak and roasts.
Print Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Cookie sheet or jelly roll pan
- 1 Silicone baking mat or foil lining, optional
Ingredients
- 1 Broccoli head
- Extra-virgin olive oil approx. 3 tablespoons
- Sugar at least 1 teaspoon
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500°F (450°F if using a silicone liner).
- Wash the broccoli and cut off the main stem. Chop or break the head into large pieces, ideally no more than ½ to ¾" thick at their widest point, and place in a large bowl. Break the florets right into the bowl to minimize clean-up; slice into uniformly 1/2" thick pieces for a more consistent result.
- If using the stem, make sure to discard the rough end and any partial "branches" and peel the hard, fibrous skin off with a vegetable peeler before slicing the remaining soft inside stem..
- Generously sprinkle the broccoli with olive oil. Lightly sprinkle with sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Line baking sheet with foil or silicone baking liner. Spread broccoli in a single layer. Use a second sheet or bake a second batch if they will not fit comfortably in a single layer.
- Bake until broccoli is lightly browned and sugar starts to caramelize, 10 to 15 minutes (add 5 minutes if using a silicone liner). If it looks like the broccoli is starting to burn, flip halfway through baking time.
Notes
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Turbo Instructions :
Preheat oven to 500°F (450°F if using silicone liner). Break broccoli into pieces; microwave for 60-90 seconds if pressed for time and let cool slightly before proceeding. Place broccoli in a large bowl and sprinkle generously with extra virgin olive oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer and bake for 10-15 minutes (reduce time by 5 minutes if microwaved) or until lightly browned.