Want to Make Eating Your Veggies Fun? Just Get Cheesy!
During the 1990s, broccoli cheese soup became popular mostly due to Campbell’s triumph with their Cream of Broccoli soup for the “Get President Bush to Eat Broccoli” contest. As a result, Campbell’s came up with new broccoli soup varieties. Their broccoli cheese soup became wildly popular with consumers and soon started flying off grocery store shelves. Other brands jumped on the broccoli cheddar bandwagon, and Panera Bread—which offers my favorite version of the soup—along with Subway and Einstein Bros., led to the huge following of this cheesy comfort food in liquid form.
Why cheddar? This is a favorite varietal of cheese lovers and only second place to mozzarella as the number one most popular cheese in the U.S. It made its debut in the 12th century in the wee town of Cheddar Village in Somerset, England. To keep milk chilly on hot days, the community’s farmers stored it in caves and gorges. Legend has it that a milkmaid forgot about a pail of milk she dropped off in one of the caves. When she went to retrieve the milk, she found that it had hardened into the delicious golden treat that is so hugely popular today.
Why does broccoli and cheese please?
Broccoli and cheese make a marvelous couple for many reasons. One of the main bonuses is that cheese equals flavor and creaminess—a great addition to this super healthy veggie. The parmesan cheese can contribute an umami flavor to this dish. Additionally, cheese can give this recipe a comfort-dish feel. It’s also a great protein and calcium source and offers a nice dose of vitamins A and D.
Does all this talk about broccoli make you want to experiment with more recipes with the green superfood? Then try this Sauteed Broccoli. This version will have your family begging to eat their veggies with its colorful flavor punch. Want a little Asian twist with your greens? Try this Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. Sliced sirloin, soy sauce, and sherry make this one restaurant-worthy. Also, you can try a poultry version of the Chinese favorite: this Chicken Broccoli rendition offers fantastic flavor with brown sugar or honey, garlic, and ginger; it’s also restaurant-worthy!
What kind of cheddar is best for this recipe?
There are a ton of varieties to choose from, including variations in sharpness, smoked versions, flavored versions, and white. Mild cheddar, aged between three and six months, is smooth and offers a buttery, subtle taste. Creamier than mild, medium cheddar yields a more intense, brothy flavor highlighted by nutty notes. Packing a tangy, robust punch, the sharp kind takes 9 to 12 months for aging. This cheddar partners well with bold dishes and recipes. And even more intense and complex, extra sharp is aged for at least 18 months and up to 10 years or more. It yields a rich, smooth, creamy, and aggressive flavor. You can also try smoked cheddar or a version featuring herbs and spices. If you like things that are kind of nutty, choose white cheddar.
Can I make it and save it for later?
Sure! Cut up your broccoli, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge for up to a week before cooking with the rest of the ingredients. Your shredded cheese will be good for up to a month in the fridge, but for this dish, pay attention to your broccoli’s freshness deadline. Or, you can take your leftovers, put them in plastic wrap or a Tupperware-type container, and store them for up to four days. Then just reheat in the microwave a few minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
A lot of things are tasty with broccoli and cheese! Up your cheddar quotient with these Chicken Bacon Cheddar Sandwiches. The combo of chicken, bacon, and cheddar is hard to beat in the tastiness factor. Or how about this Cheesy Potato Casserole? You get crunchy and creamy in this luscious entrée.
Whatever you choose to partner with this nutrient-rich side dish, your family is sure to love it!
Broccoli and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli cut into florets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli into medium-sized florets.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and salt. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until starting to brown, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the broccoli, followed by the cheddar cheese. Add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for another minute until the cheese is melted and the water cooks out.
- Serve immediately.
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