Broccoli is a great go-to side dish, bringing colour and nutrition to the dinner table. But simply steaming or roasting the vegetable can get a little old after a while. This lemon garlic broccoli takes boiled broccoli up a notch by quickly sautéing it in butter and garlic and finishing it with a squeeze of lemon juice. The buttery lemon and garlic sauce adds just the right amount of flavour to the lightly boiled broccoli, and the citrus contributes a touch of brightness. This lemon and garlic broccoli dish is perfect on a wee-knight but also special enough for the holiday menu. The most traditional way to steam vegetables is with a steamer basket set in a pot filled with 1 inch of water. But if you don’t have a steamer basket, you can cook the broccoli in the microwave in one tablespoon of water, or in a 1/4 inch of water in a pan on the stove top. All methods call for covering the broccoli while it cooks. No matter which way you steam, make sure not to overcook, or else the broccoli will become mushy and lose its appealing green colour. This lemon and garlic broccoli pairs well with a variety of main dishes, such as whole roasted chicken, grilled steak, baked crispy fish fillets, and almost any pasta recipe. Although delicious as is, you can spice up this broccoli with some crushed red pepper flakes, or add another layer of flavour with finely chopped red onion or shallots. Recipe Variations ~ Saute 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion or shallot in the butter until just tender. Add the garlic and continue with the recipe. Replace half of the fresh broccoli florets with cauliflower florets and steam along with the broccoli. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the butter along with the garlic.
