15 minutes
This vibrant and zesty side dish brings the bright flavors of lemon and the richness of butter together with fresh broccoli. Its quick steaming method preserves the broccoli's color and nutrients, making it a healthy and delightful addition to any meal. Perfect for busy weeknights or to impress at a dinner party, this recipe is ready in a flash and sure to please both adults and children alike.
cups
Broccoli, large florets halved
cups
teaspoons
Unsalted Butter, divided into 4 pieces
tablespoons
Lemon Zest, grated
teaspoons
teaspoons
1. Prep the Skillet
Boil the Water: Place a 12-inch skillet on the stove and pour in the water. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a rolling boil.
2. Steam the Broccoli
Season and Steam: Add the broccoli florets to the boiling water in the skillet and sprinkle them with the table salt. Cover the skillet with its lid and lower the heat to medium-low. Allow the broccoli to steam for 4 minutes.
3. Stir the Florets
Using oven mitts to protect your hands, carefully remove the lid from the skillet. Gently toss the broccoli with a wooden spoon. Replace the lid and continue to steam until the broccoli is a bright green color and crisp-tender, about 3 to 5 additional minutes.
4. Evaporate Liquid
Remove the lid once more and let any remaining water evaporate for about 1 minute. Once dry, turn off the heat and move the skillet to a cool burner.
5. Add Flavor
Make Lemon-Butter: Push the steamed broccoli to one side of the skillet. In the empty space, add the butter, lemon zest, and pepper. Stir until the butter has melted completely.
6. Toss and Coat
Mix the broccoli with the melted lemon-butter mixture until each floret is evenly coated with the zesty, buttery sauce.
7. Serve
Transfer the broccoli to a serving dish and enjoy while warm.
Once the broccoli is cooked, sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will melt slightly and provide a savory, umami depth to the dish.
Along with lemon, include other citrus juices such as orange or lime for a different acidic profile. Mix in fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley towards the end of cooking for an aromatic touch.
Toss the cooked broccoli with your favorite pasta and a bit of pasta water to create a simple and refreshing pasta dish. Top with grated lemon zest and cheese for an extra boost of flavor.
Replace broccoli with other greens like kale, Swiss chard, or spinach. Add more garlic to the butter, and follow the same process. This variant will give you a side dish that's rich in garlic flavor and works well with greens that cook down more than broccoli.
Turn it into a main course by adding protein like shrimp. Cook the shrimp in the lemon-butter sauce before adding the broccoli. The shrimp will add a hearty element to the dish, making it a complete meal.
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