It’s a busy week for us. My sister is getting married on Saturday and we have a lot going on. When these weeks come up I usually rely on my default menu instead of menu planning. These are really simple meals that take little brainpower like tacos and chicken in the slow cooker. It’s nice because I can go to the grocery store without a list and get out of there quickly!
This is the last recipe I will post from the Meal Makeover Mom’s book No Whine with Dinner — and it comes from their amazing “Vegetables You Don’t Have to Hide” section. I can’t believe how well all the ingredients work together (Dijon and garlic powder) to make this irresistible broccoli and cheese recipe. I realize I was supposed to use the cheese sauce for dipping but topping it with the broccoli worked well too.
Big A still has major trouble with broccoli but Little D will usually partake. I plan to make this dish for years to come. It can be used for snack time or as a side dish at lunch or dinner. And it contains 20% DV for calcium and over 100% of vitamin C.
Anyone else use a cheese-dipping sauce for veggies?
- 1 head of broccoli (about 1.5 pounds), cut into florets
- 1 TBS olive or unsalted butter
- 1 TBS all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 1% low-fat milk
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- ⅓ tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (reduced fat optional)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- Steam the broccoli until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside, uncovered.
- While the broccoli is steaming, heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly until smooth, about 2 minutes. Whisk the milk, mustard, and garlic powder slowly into the flour mixture. Raise the heat and bring to a low boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer and stir gently until the moisture thickens, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until it melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve with broccoli.
For more easy recipes and tips on how to serve meals to kids, check out Maryann’s book The Family Dinner Solution: How to Create a Rotation of Dinner Meals Your Family Will Love
Maryann, glad you liked our broccoli with cheesy dipping sauce. I also pour the sauce over the broccoli instead of dipping! It’s great with cauliflower as well. Hope your sister’s wedding is fabulous – exciting times!
Thanks Janice. I will try with cauliflower next time. The truth is I eat it more than the kids do ; )
I do this for cauliflower as well. In a pinch, a little grated sharp Cheddar or good-quality Parmesan cheese does the trick.
I just made this! Huge hit with the 22 month old and myself. The 4 year won’t go near broccoli that is cooked. I tried though. I am waiting to hear what hubby says.
We are so in the same boat. My daughter can'[t get over the smell of broccoli. One day!
Hi! My family tested this recipe for the new MMM’s cookbook. We loved it! It is good as a dip or sauce. Delicious as well with cauliflower. I may have even tried it with asparagus. It’s been awhile since I last made it – so it is time to try it again!
Shameless plug for another recipe in the book – the veggie burger with pesto, spinach and chevre. My vegetarian 14 y/o daughter LOVED that recipe and ate it daily for about 2 weeks straight.