Description
This Smashed Chilli Garlic Broccoli recipe offers a delicious, crispy, and flavorful vegetable dish perfect as a snack or side. Broccoli florets are lightly steamed, smashed for extra texture, brushed with garlic butter, and baked until golden and crispy. Served with a spicy peanut butter dip enhanced with soy sauce and chili flakes, this recipe blends savory, spicy, and nutty flavors in a simple yet impressive way.
Ingredients
Scale
Broccoli
- 1 medium head of broccoli (cut into florets, including stem if desired)
Garlic Butter Topping
- 1 tbsp butter (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
Toppings
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- A sprinkle of crispy seaweed flakes
Peanut Butter Dip
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp water (plus more to adjust consistency)
- A pinch of salt, pepper, and chilli flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F to ensure it is ready for baking the broccoli to a perfect golden crisp.
- Prepare Broccoli: Cut the broccoli into florets and cube the stem if using. Then boil or steam the broccoli for 5 minutes until slightly tender. Drain well to remove excess moisture.
- Smash Broccoli: Arrange the broccoli florets on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Using a potato masher or the flat bottom of a mug, gently smash each floret to flatten slightly, increasing surface area for crispiness.
- Make Garlic Butter & Brush: Melt the butter in a small bowl and stir in the minced garlic. Brush this garlic butter generously over the smashed broccoli. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and chilli flakes for seasoning.
- Bake Broccoli: Bake the broccoli for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy around the edges, turning once if desired for even crispness.
- Add Toppings: Remove the broccoli from the oven and immediately sprinkle with sesame seeds and crispy seaweed flakes for an added layer of flavor and crunch.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Dip: In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, and water until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more water if needed. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and chilli flakes to taste.
- Serve: Serve the smashed broccoli warm alongside the peanut butter dip for a deliciously spicy and nutty pairing.
Notes
- You can substitute dairy-free butter to make this recipe vegan.
- Adjust chilli flakes quantity according to your spice preference.
- Ensure broccoli is well-drained before smashing to avoid sogginess.
- The peanut butter dip consistency can be adjusted for thicker or thinner dips by changing the amount of water added.
- Crispy seaweed flakes add umami, but omit if unavailable or substitute with toasted nori or sesame seeds.
