Broccoli AuGratin

Oh c'mon don't boo! It's just broccoli, everyone's favorite vegetable right? This is one recipe I am very excited about!

If I could get my youngest homegirl to try it (ok, I had to pay her seven bucks upfront) and she actually liked it but wasn't going to ruin her reputation of eating another bite without payment and I was tapped out...anyway this is the bomb for broccoli. In fact, I bet you could even use this method to put cauliflower over the top. It's all about disguising your vegetables so your family will eat them and more importantly like them!

Broccoli AuGratin -

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a one quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

I used one package of (about 10 - 12 ounces) of frozen broccoli cuts at 98 cents per bag, compared to fresh at $2.49 per pound. If you use frozen broccoli let it sit out in a collendar for about 1 hour. If you use fresh broccoli, wash and cut florets and stems into bite sized pieces.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat using one tablespoon of canola or vegetable oil. when oil is heated, add one medium size yellow onion diced. Season with Emeril's Essence or salt and black pepper. Saute onions for about 2 minutes and add 2 cloves of minced garlic and saute for another minute.

Now add the broccoli and saute for about three minutes. You don't want to wilt the broccoli, you just want to warm it up a bit. Pour broccoli mixture into prepared casserole dish.

In a medium bowl, mix together one cup of evaporated milk, 1 egg, 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of smoked gouda cheese.

Whisk together.

Note: You can substitute romano if you like for the parm. In fact if you don't want to use smoked gouda, you could subtitute gruyere, regular gouda or cheddar. You want a cheese that melts really nice.

Pour milk/cheese mixture over broccoli.

Stir to thoroughly combine.

Melt 1/2 stick of butter over medium heat. Once butter is melted, pour in 1 cup of seasoned Italian bread crumbs. Stir to thoroughly combine.

Spread bread crumb mixture evenly over broccoli and place in preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until bread crumb topping is browned and crunchy.

Oh yeah baby, come to Mama!