Broccoli and parmesan baskets – tasty base for various fillings…

Very interesting way to present various different dishes. It is tasty but also it has very unique and impressive touch. In broccoli and parmesan baskets you can put literally anything, But be careful so that filling doesn’t overtake flavors. Here is my favorite combination.

BROCCOLI BASKETS

Searching for a new way of presenting food? Here is one example. I wanted to make something that could lift common dishes, enrich them in flavor and even engage guests in assembly of her/his combination of brunch, lunch or diner.

It appears as very “grateful” base. You need only few ingredients – broccoli, parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic and egg. I can immediately tell you that it smells wonderful and beyond crunchy (outside) and fluffy (inside) texture these baskets provide refined taste that can complement many dished.

This time I used 2 fillings, classic Bolognese with minced meat and chicken breast marinated in soy sauce, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.

One more thing has left to be said and that’s one friendly notice about difficulty. In order to make it right please follow directions and ingredients carefully. You must coat your baking mold with butter or margarine and sprinkle flour on the bottom and all sides so that mixture doesn’t stick to the mold. Also be careful not to make sides too thin or bottom too thick. All sides need to be equally thick.

Note: below amount of ingredients is sufficient for 4 cups with diameter of 10 cm / 4 inch.

Details

Servings

4 baskets

Prep time

20 minutes

Cooking time

30 minutes

Calories

153 kcal (basket)

Ingredients

  • BASKETS
  • 2 cups (150g) of broccoli (florets)

  • 1 clove of garlic

  • 1 cup of parmesan cheese, grated

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 tbsp of olive oil

  • FILLING 1
  • 250g of chicken breast filet, diced

  • 2 tbsp of soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar

  • lemon juice (of 1/2 lemon)

  • 3 tsp of Mediterranean herbs

  • 1 tbsp of olive oil

  • FILLING 2
  • 250g of mixed minced meat

  • 1 medium onion

  • 2 tbsp of olive oil

  • 1 garlic clove

  • 200 ml of tomato sauce

  • 1 tbsp of tomato paste

  • 1 tbsp of butter

  • SOUR CREAM TOPPING
  • 250g of sour cream

  • lemon juice from 1/2 lemon

  • chives to taste (fresh or dried)

Directions

  • BASKETS
  • Put broccoli, parmesan and garlic in food processor. Mix it until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Add olive oil and egg. Mix it until you get smooth mixture.
  • Preheat oven at 380F (190C). Coat baking molds with margarine or butter and sprinkle evenly on the sides and bottom some all purpose flour to prevent sticking to the mold.
  • Add mixture to the mold and with your fingers distribute evenly mixture so that bottom is not to thick and sides are not too thin.
  • Place it in the oven for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, take them out and leave too cool for 5 minutes. Take them out of the mold and they are ready to go.
  • FILLING 1
  • Dice chicken breast, add soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and herbs. Give it a good stir and leave it for at least 30 minutes to marinate.
  • Put olive oil in a pan and cook chicken for 4-6 minutes, depending how big pieces of chicken breast you have.
  • When done, set it aside.
  • FILLING 2
  • Dice onion and simmer it on hot olive oil for 4-5 minutes. Add mixed minced meat and simmer for another 8- 10 minutes on medium heat until meat is almost completely cooked.
  • Add tomato sauce, tomato paste and diced garlic. Simmer for another 5 minutes. At very end add butter and stir until it melts. Set aside.
  • SOUR CREAM TOPPING
  • Mix sour cream, lemon juice and chives (to taste) in one serving bowl. It goes well with almost every filling, especially with chicken. Also it gives hot/cold contrast in combination with hot filling.

 

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