Everyone needs a go to side dish for those nights when the last thing you want to think about is “What’s For Dinner”. The perfect side is something that is versatile and can compliment any main dish from seafood, meats and chicken to casseroles and soups. It has to be light but yet hearty enough to stand up on its own. And when we are referring to veggies as the side what is better than vegetables hot and bubbly with cheese and bread crumbs? Nothing- Absolutely nothing is better! With all this said my Roasted Broccoli and Pecan Gratin is the PERFECT side!
One of my favorite things to do when I cook is to treat each part of the dish as its own dish. By that I mean, if I make chicken noodle soup for instance, I like to roast the chicken with nice seasonings before adding it to the stock, I like to roast my bananas before making banana nut bread, I like to fry my chickpeas before including them in a nice pasta salad. You get the picture……So I thought a nice roasted garlic flavor for the broccoli would be nice and the extra crunch of roasted pecans would make this gratin extra special. It has everything you need. Veggies, crunch, cheese and bread crumbs- what’s not to love! Find me a kid who doesn’t like their broccoli and I will turn them into a broccoli lover!
You know I like to have my “secret” ingredients and I bet you can’t or (maybe you can if you have stuck around here long enough)- what my secret ingredient is? MUSTARD! The use of Dijon mustard alongside the creme fraiche, cheese and breadcrumbs adds a fantastic punch to the topping and one you would least expect. I used lemon Dijon mustard but really any variety would do- for a little extra spice try chipotle mustard ( Saucy Mama has a great one) or maybe horseradish mustard or rich brown mustard. Either way you go you can go wrong!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds broccoli, trimmed, the stems cut into pieces
- 1/3 cup of creme fraiche
- 1/4 cup mayonaise
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper each
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
this is perfect for my “Clean” meal plans! Got to incorporate that for one of our meals!
Yum, I love roasted broccoli! The addition of the pecans and cheese sounds amazing!
Shea recently posted..White Shorts for Hot Days
I never thought about putting nuts on my broccoli. You always inspire me.
val recently posted..Baked Goat Cheese with Marinara
YUM!
What a healthy and lovely salad. Love your “secret” ingredient. I use it in almost everything.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..My Almond Limoncello cake was in the Huffington Post’s Kitchen Daily
WOW, this sounds wonderful.
It really is and you could do it with cauliflower or even brussel sprouts too!
I don’t think I would have thought of this combination on my own, but I love it! Broccoli is such a good-for-you, fiber-rich veggie to incorporate into any dish. It looks great!!
Thanks Kati!
I always, always forget to make a side dish. Dessert, that I remember, but never a side dish. This sounds so tasty.
Allison @ Alli ‘n Son recently posted..Vanilla Bean Lime Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Lime Buttercream Frosting
this looks amazing lady!! we love broccoli, but i get tired of eating it the same way over and over. i will be trying this asap! i hope you are having a fabulous day pretty lady!
xoxo
lindsay recently posted..san francisco treat
Thanks Lindsay! I had a great day and hope you did too!
Love one pot meal for week nights and this sounds delicious plus healthy
Kankana recently posted..Dum Aalu – Bite Size Potatoes In Yogurt Gravy
Very healthy- although the cheese might not be the best low cal ingredient to add to it but overall it is delish and the perfect way to spice of veggie
I love everything about this!
Fabulous combination of flavours Belle.
Mandy xo
Mandy – The Complete Cook Book recently posted..Beef and Carrot Soup
Love one pot meals especially on weekday! This sounds so easy and simple to put together! And it looks delicious too!
Baker Street recently posted..#MuffinMonday: Macaroni and Cheese Muffins
This looks great Jessica but I’m going to have to wait to try it; it’s been sweltering and I really can’t think of turning on the oven just yet. My Mom used to make a delicious topping for green beans, cauliflower or broccoli with sour cream and bread crumbs!
Eva Taylor recently posted..Slap me silly it’s so simple: Caprese Salad Bites
I understand that Eva! yesterday it was 101 here and I was burning up no matter where I went. Here is looking forward to fall!
I love the flavor of roasted broccoli! I’ll be sure to try this recipe – it sounds delish!
Cristin Cogen recently posted..data recovery software
Thanks Cristin
Yummy! I just picked up some broccoli at the veggie stand yesterday! Might need to try this!
Oh you would love it. I combines flavors of the south with a standard classic veggie
Great use of broccoli Jessica, an ingredient that every man loves. You’ve got my creative glutton mind going with this too.
Jed Gray (sportsglutton) recently posted..2012 College Football Primer
Oh Jed- your mind is already plenty creative without my help but glad to be of service! LOL
What a great recipe!! a wonderful way to get brocolli on the table!
Mary x
Mary recently posted..Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Yes Indeed Mary and it is so filling that you could have it easily as a meal
Your secret ingredient is also one of my favorite to add with lemon juice to enhance the flavor more. But I have never seen lemon Dijon mustard. Isn’t it great! to have such a healthy dish with such flavors.
Balvinder recently posted..Very Berry Gluten Free Chocolate layer Cake
I have never thought of lemon juice and mustard in that way before! Sure I’ve done it plenty but now that I think about it you are so right- the lemon juice brings out the more of the flavor in the mustard
LOVE roasted veggies for an easy weeknight meal. This looks so delish
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com recently posted..Roasted Summer Squash & Mushroom Spaghetti
Ah, pecans. Straight to my Southern heart!
yummychunklet recently posted..The Wilton School
yep, we southerners know how to do a veggie dish right! LOL!
mmm I love broccoli! I think I will love this dish.
Sook recently posted..Yang Nyum Chicken {Korean Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili Sauce}
I know you will Sook! Please do give it a try and let me know what you think
I have everything to make this. I like how easily we can put together, and it’s going to be a new veggie dish to try out with my kids! Thanks for the recipe Jessica!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Blueberry Frozen Yogurt
yes! I promise all kids will love this. They won’t even know they are eating broccoli! at least my son didn’t! lol!
This is a gratin and comfort food done oh so right! Cheesy cream heaven.
Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Masa Crepes with Chard, Chile and Cilantro
Cheesy cream heaven is exactly right! I can see u putting a new fun twist on this dish too!
Terrific dish! I love roasted veggies, and you’ve kicked it up a bunch with this – you get the best of both worlds, roast vegetables and a gratin. Bet this would be great with cauliflower, too. Good dish – thanks.
kitchenriffs recently posted..Planter’s Punch
Oh you are exactly right! Cauliflower would be great with this as well as Brussels sprouts!
You’ve introduced another tasty way to eat more broccoli. I love them roasted but with the addition of pecans, creme fresh and parmesan it sounds amazing!!
Malli recently posted..#221 Cilantro Chili Stuffed Flatbread
My dear, I do believe you could get me to eat broccoli.
This looks scrumptious and I can’t believe I’m saying that about a green veggie.
Kristy recently posted..Kicking Off Birthday Week
Having someone else choose recipes is such a great way to make something you would’ve overlooked! These receipe sounds delicious, I’m glad it surprised me
This looks so good! We love broccoli and we love mustard, so this would be perfect for us! Thanks for sharing!
oh, i would have thought your secret ingredients is kind of cajun spices. I got inspired by you for buying a bottle of cajun seasoning and i simply add a dash to it when searing fish and chicken sometimes..easy cooking. Love the addition of cheese and breadcrumbs here, you always make great dishes!
Lena recently posted..Chicken Curry Hand Pies
What i nice side dish…so different. I can see why it is a favorite.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..A Spectacular Sandwich
This is a dish I would start out saying, “May I please have seconds,” before the firsts go down. Looks wonderful.
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Want to Guest Post on Orgasmic Chef?
I love roasting veggies and double love doing it with broccoli! Looks wonderful
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious recently posted..Salted Chocolate Caramel Cookies…
Roasted vegetables are so delicious! This recipe looks scrumptious as well as super healthy, I’m definately trying it out soon
What a wonderful side dish! We love broccoli and your jazzed up casserole sounds divine…the cheese topping is perfect!
Liz recently posted..Lemon Barley Pilaf…French Fridays with Dorie~
Love broccoli! This gratin looks amazing Jessica and I am sure it would turn any kid into a broccoli lover.
Donna @ The Slow Roasted Italian recently posted..All American Chocolate Malt: Chocolate Malt Crunch Ice Cream Milk Shake
Oh my gosh Jessica, the secret ingredient is brilliant and I have learned something that really makes a difference in high quality cooking from you: amp up one or more of the ingredients prior to including it in the recipe! And roasting certainly is one way to take the flavor over the top! One last thing, anything with cheese and bread crumbs can’t be beat!!!!!
Roz recently posted..grill-roasted corn with black bean summer salad with avocados and more
This looks awesme! Do you think by any chance I could omit the mayo for something else and have it taste similar?