With food, I tend to get the most pleasure out of making and eating simple, delicious dishes. Now, I know what you are saying, "Simple, well thats easy. Delicious, how do you even define delicious? Is there such a thing? And does acknowledgment of the previous question in fact disqualify me from discussing such a definition? And plus wouldn't deliciousness by definition be of the exotic or complex?... or have I just contradicted myself." So let me clarify, something that is delicious does not need to be complex or even interesting. In fact it is not acknowledging this notion that allows us on a daily basis to ignore and abuse the great flavors present in everyday food. Deliciousness can be the simplest of flavors paired in just the right way, or in the case of this recipe three simple ingredients that just go well together no matter what you do.
Broccoli, butter, and lemon. If you were not a broccoli fan before, or one of those "only with cheese" people, I suggest you try this at least once. Not only is broccoli a cheap vegetable easy to always have on hand, it is also filling and highly nutritious, making it among the more practical options for a side or main dish on any given night.
The simple flavors here (broccoli, butter, lemon) represent a fundamental flavor combination that evokes nothing but the basest acknowledgment of nourishment. It is hard to forget you are eating something healthy while eating broccoli, but it is also hard to deny the pleasures of eating anything with a tablespoon of butter melted over it. I think it is the brightness of lemon that puts this combination in context reminding us that this preparation its a little indulgent, probably good for you, but overall it just tastes simply sublime and straight from home. Perfectly pastoral in every bite.
As a vegan, I don't consume butter. There are direct substitutes to butter that are regularly in my fridge, but when it comes to most cooking (this being no exception) I still prefer olive oil with a little bit of salt. I also add a little pepper, as well, but the idea is still the same. Broccoli and lemon is an excellent combination that I eat fairly often; usually with pasta. I also don't like to just blanch the broccoli to a nice, dark green color, rather than steam it, so that it still has a little chewiness to it. My dad, who has caps on his teeth, prefers when I "cook the piss out of it!"
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