Roy Finamore's Broccoli Cooked Forever
Genius Recipes
Photo by James Ransom
- Serves
- 4 to 6
- Prep Time
- 10 Minutes
- Cook Time
- 2 Hours 20 Minutes
When you push broccoli beyond that disappointing just-too-done state (and throw in a whole lot of olive oil, bubbling lazily with garlic, anchovy, and hot peppers) you find yourself with a miraculous substance -- essentially broccoli confit. The florets trap all the oil's richness, and the stems melt away. It would be fitting spooned up onto some sturdy bread, blanketing a good ridge-y pasta, layered onto a pizza, or anointing a sandwich. Finamore says it also works with cauliflower. From Tasty: Get Great Food on the Table Every Day (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006).
Ingredients
- 2 bunches (2-2 1/4 pounds) broccoli
- 1 cup olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced thin
- 2 small hot peppers, halved lengthwise (Finamore likes small red peppers, but you can substitute green Thai chiles, various dried ones, even a big pinch of red chile flakes)
- 4 anchovy fillets, chopped
- Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
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Directions
- Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Step 2
While the water is heating, cut the florets off the broccoli. Peel the stems and cut them into rather thick slices, about 1/3 inch.
- Step 3
When the water comes to a boil, add the broccoli and cover the pot to bring it back to a boil quickly. Blanch the broccoli for five minutes. Drain.
- Step 4
Put olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. When the garlic starts to sizzle, add the hot peppers and anchovies. Cook, giving a stir or two, until the anchovies melt. Add the broccoli, season with salt and pepper, and stir well. Cover the skillet, turn the heat to very low, and cook for two hours. Use a spatula to turn the broccoli over in the skillet a few times, but try not to break it up. It will be very tender when done.
- Step 5
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to a serving dish. It is delicious hot or at room temperature.