Patrick Oconnell
Blue cheese and broccoli are a match made in heaven. This unlikely pairing creates a delicious savoury side dish that will impress at any dinner party. Whether you're making a simple salad or an indulgent bake, the addition of blue cheese to standard broccoli florets will bring your tired greens back to life and add a gourmet touch to your meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Blue cheese adds flavour and richness to broccoli |
| Texture | Broccoli can be steamed, boiled, or microwaved; blue cheese can be crumbled or melted |
| Serving Suggestions | Broccoli and blue cheese salad, Broccoli Blue Cheese Bake, side dish |
| Accompaniments | Bacon, onion, apricots, rice, chicken, steak, pizza |
| Nutrition | 220kcal, 13g carbohydrates, 10g protein, 15g fat, 5g saturated fat, 3g polyunsaturated fat, 6g monounsaturated fat, 1g trans fat, 21mg cholesterol, 599mg sodium, 567mg potassium, 4g fibre, 4g sugar, 1251IU vitamin A, 135mg vitamin C, 131mg calcium, 2mg iron |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Broccoli Blue Cheese Bake
Blue cheese and broccoli are a great combination. Blue cheese can bring broccoli back to life by adding flavour to an otherwise dull dish. This combination can be used to make a delicious bake. Here is a recipe for a broccoli blue cheese bake:
Ingredients
- Broccoli florets
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Cracker or bread crumbs
- Cream cheese (optional)
- Cayenne (optional)
- Nutmeg (optional)
- Cheddar (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 or 350°F. Steam or boil the broccoli florets until firm-tender (about 2-3 minutes) and drain well. In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat, add the flour and stir for 1 minute. Add the milk gradually, whisking continuously until you have a smooth sauce. Simmer gently for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring regularly. You can also add in cream cheese, a pinch of cayenne, nutmeg, and cheddar to the sauce.
In a separate bowl, mix 6 tablespoons of melted butter with the cracker or bread crumbs. Grease a medium-sized casserole dish and add the broccoli. Pour the sauce over the broccoli and crumble over the blue cheese. Top with the bread crumbs. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top. Serve hot.
Tips
- You can make the blue cheese sauce and steam the broccoli up to one day in advance and store them in separate containers in the fridge.
- You can also add minced garlic to the butter and flour mixture for extra flavour.
- If making this dish ahead of time, slightly undercook the broccoli and refresh it in cold water to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Blue Cheese and Lactose: A Dietary Concern?
You may want to see also
Blue Cheese Broccoli Salad
Blue cheese and broccoli are a great combination. A simple side dish of steamed broccoli can be enhanced by a sprinkling of blue cheese. For a more elaborate dish, you can make a Blue Cheese Broccoli Salad.
Ingredients:
- Broccoli
- Blue cheese
- Red onion
- Bacon
- Dried apricots or cranberries
- Pecans
- Mayonnaise
- Yogurt
- Buttermilk
- Vinegar
- Chives
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Brown sugar
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic
Directions:
- Prepare the dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, yogurt, buttermilk, vinegar, chives, pepper, and salt in a large bowl.
- Stir in the blue cheese.
- Add broccoli, onion, apricots or cranberries, and bacon to the bowl. Toss to coat the ingredients with the dressing.
- Refrigerate the salad for up to one day to allow the flavours to blend.
- Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
You can also blanch the broccoli and toast the pecans for added flavour and texture. This salad is a perfect side dish for spring and summer gatherings, with a combination of sweet, salty, and sharp flavours.
Blue Cheese and Lactose: Is It Safe to Eat?
You may want to see also
Simple steamed broccoli with blue cheese
Ingredients
- Broccoli florets
- Blue cheese
- Salt (optional)
- Pepper (optional)
Method
- Start by preparing the broccoli florets. Wash them and cut them into evenly sized pieces if needed.
- Set up a steamer basket in a pot with water at the bottom. Bring the water to a boil, then place the broccoli florets in the steamer basket. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. You can also microwave the broccoli florets with 2 inches of water for about 3 minutes as an alternative.
- Once the broccoli is steamed to your liking, remove it from the heat and place it in a serving dish.
- Crumble or cut the blue cheese into small pieces and sprinkle it over the steamed broccoli. The amount of blue cheese you use can vary depending on your taste preferences.
- Optionally, you can season the dish with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Serve the simple steamed broccoli with blue cheese immediately while it is still warm.
Tips and Variations
- You can also serve this dish as a salad by chilling the steamed broccoli and adding other ingredients like bacon, onion, apricots, and a dressing made with mayonnaise, yogurt, buttermilk, vinegar, and chives.
- For a more indulgent version, try making a broccoli blue cheese bake by combining the steamed broccoli with a creamy sauce and topping it with buttery crackers before baking in the oven.
- This side dish pairs well with rice, chicken, steak, and pizza.
Best Places to Buy Roka Blue Cheese Spread
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Broccoli and Blue Cheese Salad Calories
Blue cheese and broccoli are a great combination, and a blue cheese broccoli salad is a tasty and easy-to-make side dish. This salad is a great option for picnics and potlucks and can be served with rice and chicken or as a side for homemade pizza night.
A blue cheese broccoli salad recipe from Sip Bite Go has 220 calories per serving. The recipe includes broccoli, blue cheese, sunflower seeds, chives, and blue cheese crumbles. The salad is dressed with a mixture of blue cheese, salt, and pepper.
A similar recipe from Southern Bite has 463 calories per serving. This recipe includes broccoli, onion, blue cheese, and bacon, with a dressing made from mayonnaise and cider vinegar. The addition of bacon provides a salty bite and a crunchy texture to the salad.
Another recipe from EatingWell includes dried apricots and bacon, with a creamy blue cheese dressing. This recipe has not provided the calorie information, but it is reviewed by a registered dietitian to ensure it adheres to nutrition guidelines.
When preparing a broccoli and blue cheese salad, it is recommended to rinse and trim the broccoli, removing the tough outer layer of the stem if it is thick. The florets should be separated by slicing through the base of each branch.
Gouda and Blue Cheese: A Tasty Mix?
You may want to see also
What to serve with broccoli and blue cheese salad
Blue cheese and broccoli salad is a delicious combination, with the creamy blue cheese dressing coating fresh, crunchy broccoli. This side salad can be served with a variety of dishes and can be adapted to your taste.
To make a blue cheese and broccoli salad, you can start by whisking together mayonnaise, yogurt, buttermilk, vinegar, chives, salt, and pepper. Then, stir in the blue cheese and add in the broccoli, onion, and any additional ingredients of your choice. Some popular add-ins include crispy bacon, dried apricots, sunflower seeds, and chives. You can also experiment with ingredients like diced ham, cilantro, pine nuts, turkey bacon, tomatoes, sliced almonds, bacon bits, or cauliflower. For a touch of sweetness, dried cranberries, dried apricot pieces, or minced apple can be added.
This salad can be served as a side dish for dinners, game days, or holidays. It pairs well with a variety of main courses, such as steak, chicken, or homemade pizza. For a complete meal, serve it with a potato side dish, or enjoy it as an appetizer with some potato crisps on the side.
When preparing the broccoli for the salad, it is recommended to rinse and trim the vegetable first. Cut the florets by slicing through the base of each branch, and trim away any thick stems. Don't discard those stems, though—slice them up for a crunchy addition to your salad!
Gorgonzola and Blue Cheese: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, blue cheese and broccoli go well together. A simple sprinkling of blue cheese on steamed broccoli can bring your tired greens back to life.
Blue cheese and broccoli are used in many recipes, including a bake, a salad, and a side dish with rice and chicken.
The salad includes broccoli, blue cheese, onion, apricots, and bacon, all tossed in a dressing made from mayonnaise, yogurt, buttermilk, vinegar, chives, pepper, and salt.
To make the bake, you combine broccoli with a creamy sauce and top it with buttery Ritz crackers.
The salad has 220 calories, 13g of carbohydrates, 10g of protein, 15g of fat, and more.
