Broccoli nuggets are a great choice for a light, healthy and delicious dish. Here is a simple recipe to follow:
Ingredients:
- 400 g fresh broccoli (about 2-3 small bunches)
- 1 egg
- 50g grated cheese (such as parmesan or pecorino)
- 50g breadcrumbs (plus extra for coating)
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
- Extra virgin olive oil for cooking
Instructions:
- Preparation of broccoli:
- Clean the broccoli by removing the tougher outer leaves and divide them into smaller florets.
- Steam the broccoli until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, you can boil it in lightly salted water until tender, but make sure not to overcook it or it will become too mushy.
- Preparation of the dough:
- Mash the cooked broccoli with a fork or blender until pureed.
- Transfer the broccoli puree to a bowl and add the egg, grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Mix well until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Formation of the kibbles:
- Take a portion of broccoli dough and form small round or oval croquettes, of the size you prefer.
- Roll the broccoli croquettes in the breadcrumbs to coat them evenly.
- Cooking the croquettes:
- Heat some extra virgin olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the broccoli croquettes in the pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden and crispy on both sides.
- You can cook the croquettes in two batches if the pan isn’t big enough to hold them all without overlapping.
- Service:
- Once ready, transfer the broccoli croquettes to a plate lined with absorbent paper to eliminate the excess oil.
- Serve the croquettes hot, perhaps accompanied with a sauce made from Greek yogurt, sweet mustard or light tomato sauce.
Suggestions:
- You can enrich the broccoli croquettes by adding ingredients such as pieces of melted cheese in the center, cubes of cooked ham or spices such as paprika or cumin for an extra touch of flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can bake the broccoli croquettes in the oven instead of frying them in a pan. Place them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and cook them at 200°C for about 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking to obtain uniform browning.
These broccoli croquettes are perfect to serve as an appetizer, side dish or even as a light main dish accompanied by a fresh salad. I hope you enjoy the recipe and that it allows you to enjoy a healthy and tasty dish!