Bruschetta with Broccoli Cream

Here I present to you a simple recipe for tasty bruschetta with broccoli cream that can serve as an appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

• 1 fresh broccoli
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Red chili flakes (optional)
• Balsamic vinegar or lemon juice (for a sour note, as desired)
• Slices of homemade or country bread
• Grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by cleaning the broccoli: divide the florets from the stem and wash them thoroughly.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the broccoli florets for about 2-3 minutes, until they are tender but still crunchy. Then, drain them and plunge into a bowl of ice water to maintain a beautiful green color and stop the cooking process.
3. In a skillet, heat two tablespoons of oil and add a halved garlic clove. Let the oil get flavored and then remove the garlic. Add the broccoli florets and sauté for a few minutes. If you like, you can add a pinch of red chili flakes.
4. Transfer the florets to a blender or use an immersion blender to reduce the broccoli to a smooth cream. If needed, add a bit of the cooking water to achieve the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a tangier note, you can add a dash of balsamic vinegar or a few sprays of lemon juice.
5. Toast the slices of bread until crispy and golden brown.
6. Lightly rub the hot slices with the remaining garlic clove for more flavor and brush with extra virgin olive oil.
7. Spread a good amount of warm broccoli cream on the toasted bread slices. If desired, sprinkle with some grated Parmesan or pecorino before serving.

This recipe is quite versatile and allows you to add other ingredients to taste to enhance the flavor, such as chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or anchovy fillets for a savory touch.

Curiosity

Bruschetta is a very popular Italian appetizer all over the world. It originally started as a way to reuse stale bread. Its simplicity and versatility are its strengths, allowing the use of available ingredients to always create new variations.