The eggless broccoli flan or light broccoli flan is a light and tasty side dish.
I used boiled Sicilian broccoli with the addition of whole wheat breadcrumbs and grated cheese.
Don’t forget to count it in your meal plan.
This recipe was born as a fridge-cleaner but it’s so good that I often make it on purpose.
With an intense green color, despite the winter season, it brings a little taste of spring to the table.
The Sicilian broccoli is a variety typical of southern Italy.
Bright green in color, it belongs to the crucifer family and is highly appreciated because it has a milder smell and a more delicate flavor compared to other broccoli varieties.
In Sicily, in the Ragusa area, it is called scramuzza or scramuzzatura.
Choose small to medium, firm broccoli with florets of bright green color, avoiding yellowed or wilted ones.
Typical southern Italian varieties: Sicilian broccoli, Calabrian broccoli and Apulian broccoli – called ramosi – green and rich in benefits, are very similar and are generally referred to as southern broccoli.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Electric oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli (Sicilian)
- as needed water
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch baking soda
- 14 oz broccoli (cooked, well drained (about 400 g / ~2 1/2 cups))
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (whole, to be freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (heaping; or whole wheat breadcrumbs (about 1/4 cup / 30 g))
- 2 tbsp grated cheese (grated: Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 1 oz / 30 g))
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil (to be added raw (for drizzling))
Suggested tools
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Chopper or Mixer
Preparation
Cut the broccoli into florets and make a slight incision at the base of each floret.
Place the florets in a colander and wash them thoroughly under running water.
* For a more thorough cleaning, soak the florets in water with a little baking soda for at least 20 minutes.When boiling, use as little water as possible to best preserve its beneficial properties.
In a pot, bring salted water to a boil.
Add the broccoli florets and a pinch of baking soda so they keep a bright green color and cook for about 8–10 minutes until tender but not falling apart.Broccoli cooking time
– 8 minutes for firm broccoli that keeps its shape;
– 10 minutes for softer broccoli perfect for blending or reducing into a cream;
adjust according to the desired texture.With a skimmer, gently lift the broccoli florets and transfer them to a container.
Weigh about 14 oz (400 g) of cooked Sicilian broccoli, well drained.
Place into the food processor:
– the boiled Sicilian broccoli cut into pieces;
– a pinch of salt;
– a pinch of pepper;
and pulse until you obtain a coarse mixture.Transfer to a bowl and add:
– the breadcrumbs, two measures of 15 g or 2 heaping tablespoons;
– the grated cheese, two measures of 15 g or 2 heaping tablespoons;
– a pinch of nutmeg;
adjust salt and pepper and mix well until homogeneous.Line a loaf pan with a sheet of parchment paper.
Transfer the mixture into the pan and level it with a silicone spatula.Preheat the oven.
Bake in a convection (fan) oven at 356°F for about 15 minutes.Let cool slightly and remove from the pan by lifting with the parchment, then transfer to a flat plate.
Serve in slices.
Grind a little more pepper and drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil raw.Your eggless broccoli flan or light broccoli flan is ready.
Enjoy your meal!
You can enjoy it as a side dish.
Storage, tips and variations
Meal prep
Boil a whole head of broccoli so you have several portions available to enjoy as a side or to use as an ingredient.
Instead of a loaf pan, you can use muffin tins to make small broccoli cakes.
The broccoli mixture is also suitable for making broccoli patties and burgers.
You can serve your broccoli flan with a light cheese sauce: Greek yogurt sauce or dressing or ricotta cream with sun-dried tomatoes, basil and almonds.
You can omit the cheese.
You can replace nutmeg with turmeric.
With simple substitutions, this recipe easily adapts to:
– a lactose-free version;
– a gluten-free version;
– a vegan version.
The broccoli flan keeps in the refrigerator for one day in an airtight container.
You can reheat it in the oven.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
How can I substitute Sicilian broccoli?
You can use other varieties of broccoli or cauliflower.
Can I steam the broccoli instead of boiling it?
Of course: steaming better preserves nutrients.
