Oven Roasted Broccoli

While looking for the perfect side dish to server with salmon, I came across this recipe from Alton Brown on The Food Network. It not only sounded delicious, but I'd never heard of roasting broccoli.

Roasting the broccoli was so easy - just mix the ingredients together and BAM! (Like that Food Network reference, anyone?) This dish was one of the stars of the night! Everyone raved about it and there were no leftovers in sight. I will definitely be using this simple, elegant and tasty side dish again!

Oven Roasted Broccoli

1 pound broccoli, rinsed and trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs, lightly toasted (see below)
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut the broccoli florets into bite size pieces. Cut the stalk into 1/8-inch thick, round slices. Place the broccoli into a mixing bowl and toss with the olive oil, garlic, kosher salt and pepper and set aside.

Spread the Panko into a 13 by 9-inch metal cake pan and place into the oven for 2 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove the Panko from the oven and add to the bowl with the broccoli mixture. Toss to combine. Return the mixture to the cake pan, place in the oven and roast just until the broccoli is tender, 8 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven, toss in the cheese and serve immediately.