Broiled Broccoli with Spicy, Sesame-Scallion Sizzle

alexandracooks.com
serves 4 as a side dish - nice with Salmon or Baked Tofu
​Ingredients
For the Sizzle

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon sambal oelek or Sriracha
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 4 scallions, thinly sliced

For the Broccoli

• 1.25 lbs (roughly) broccoli
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola
• kosher salt
• flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, for finishing, optional

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Preparation​​​ ​

1. Heat the broiler to high for at least 15 minutes. Line a rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil.
2. In a small skillet, place the sesame oil, coconut oil, sambal oelek or Sriracha, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and scallions. Turn the heat to low and let the oils slowly infuse.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the broccoli: cut the head into spears; then cut larger spears into half or quarters.
4. Toss the broccoli on the prepared sheet pan with the tablespoon of neutral oil and a generous pinch of kosher salt. Taste a small spear of broccoli raw — it should taste nicely seasoned. Transfer pan to broiler and cook 2 minutes. Check. If the broccoli isn’t beginning to char, return it for another minute. Check again. If the spears are charring, remove the pan from the oven, and flip each spear over; then return pan to the broiler for another 2 minutes. Check again. Remove pan from the oven when the broccoli is charred to your liking, about 5-7 minutes total. (Note: When my broiler has preheated sufficiently, my broccoli consistently cooks to my liking in 5 minutes with a flip after 3 minutes. Every oven is different, however, so be vigilant!)
5. Transfer broccoli to a serving platter.
6. Meanwhile, the oils in the skillet should be gently shimmering and the sesame seeds and scallions should be beginning to frizzle. Turn the heat up to medium or high and keep a close watch. As soon as you see the oil bubbling more rapidly, remove the pan from the burner and pour the oil over the broccoli.
7. Gently toss. Taste. Season with sea salt if desired — if your broccoli was nicely seasoned before going under the broiler, you might not need any additional salt. Serve immediately.

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