Ingredients
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons, extra virgin
- Broccoli: 1 large head (about 1.5 lbs or 680g), cut into bite-sized florets
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon (optional, adjust for spice level)
- Water: 1/4 cup
- Fresh Spinach: 5 ounces (about 140g), or one standard clamshell container
- Lemon: 1, zested and juiced
- Sea Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground, or to taste
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup, freshly grated (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. The pan should be large enough to hold the broccoli in a relatively even layer.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the hot oil. Sauté for about 30-60 seconds until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn it, as burnt garlic will turn bitter.
- Cook the Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the skillet. Toss them well to coat them in the garlic-infused oil. Let them cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to get a slight sear on the edges.
- Steam the Broccoli: Pour the 1/4 cup of water into the skillet. It will sizzle and create steam immediately. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to medium. Let the broccoli steam for 4-5 minutes, or until it is tender-crisp. You should be able to easily pierce a stem with a fork, but it should still have a slight bite.
- Wilt the Spinach: Remove the lid. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet on top of the broccoli. It will look like a mountain, but don’t worry! Use tongs to gently toss the spinach with the broccoli. The residual heat and steam will cause the spinach to wilt down in just 1-2 minutes.
- Finish with Flavor: Turn off the heat. Add the lemon zest and the juice of half the lemon to the skillet. Season generously with sea salt and black pepper. Toss everything together one last time to ensure all the vegetables are well-seasoned.
- Serve: Transfer the spinach and broccoli skillet to a serving dish. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and an extra squeeze of lemon juice, if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 155