Parmesan-Garlic Steamed Broccoli

When it comes to attending dinner parties, everyone wants to bring a dish that has that drool factor. Heaping, alfredo-sauce-covered piles of pasta, stacked towers of dense, fudgy chocolate brownies — basically, any dish that’s so delightfully decadent your friends start salivating just by setting their eyes on it.

I know I’m guilty of it — I naturally gravitate toward comfort food. This weekend, though, for my friends’ Pumpkin Carving Deathmatch, I was determined to stick to sides that wouldn’t cause partygoers’ calorie-counting apps to spontaneously explode afterward.

Steamed broccoli is the essential healthy side nutritionists praise, but it can easily feel a bit dull — especially if you’re bringing it to a party with ‘deathmatch’ in its name. So, with a little grated parmesan and garlic powder (and okay, a small dollop of buttah!), that sensible side got a serious kick of flavor.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what a Pumpkin Carving Deathmatch entails, just wait until this weekend, when Collegiate Cook posts its guide to hosting the ultimate Halloween shindig. (Yes, shindig.)

Parmesan-Garlic Steamed Broccoli Recipe

Kitchen gadgets needed: pot with lid, ladle, bowl, measuring cups, stovetop

Ingredients (makes 5-6 servings):

• 1-2 heads of broccoli, chopped (makes about 4 cups)
• 1 and 1/2 tablespoons butter (or you can use olive oil)
• 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

Time commitment: 10-12 minutes

Steps:

1. Fill the pot about one-inch high with water, and bring it to a boil. While it heats, wash the broccoli and chop off the stems.

2. Gently ladle the broccoli into the pot, stirring the broccoli so it’s all coated in the water, if not submerged. Place the lid on top and let it steam for about 4-5 minutes, or until tender.

3. Now it’s time to drain the water from the broccoli pot. Set the broccoli aside in a large bowl, then put the butter in the now-empty pot.

NOTE: If you’re using olive oil, there’s no need to heat it up. Just stir in the garlic powder/parmesan and toss it with the broccoli.

4. Reduce the heat to medium-high, then melt the butter, stirring it occasionally. Once it’s melted, turn off the heat.

5. Stir the garlic powder and parmesan into the melted butter before drizzling it atop the broccoli. Lightly toss the broccoli so that the seasoning is evenly distributed for maximum deliciousness.

Now, You Absolutely Must:

• Use leftover florets in this Panera-esque Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Or chop some into this Sausage Rigatoni for even more flavor
• Serve it alongside the world’s easiest meatloaf