No matter what life throws at us, eating comfort food is always a great way to soothe ourselves and be fulfilled. When I create recipes, I like to use healthy ingredients that are not only delicious but filling.
After being inspired by Moroccan Zaalouk, I decided to make Garlic Mashed Broccoli that’s both delicious and easy to make. Here are three reasons why you should try my Garlic Mashed Broccoli recipe; My garlic Mashed Broccoli is easy to make, this dish serves as an excellent side dish, and the recipe is full of nutrients and flavor.
What is Moroccan Zaalouk?
Moroccan Zaalouk is a vegetable dish, often served as part of a mezze (also spelled mézzeh or mezzah) in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine. Zaalouk is traditionally made with eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, and garlic which are cooked in olive oil and seasoned with cumin and salt. You can replace vegetables with others like cauliflower or mushrooms or add meat for a complete meal.
Zaalouk has been eaten for centuries in Morocco; it is a common meal served for lunch or dinner throughout Morocco. When I first tasted Zaalouk, I knew that my Garlic Mashed Broccoli would taste delicious with it. Zaalouk can be prepared as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. It tastes great with fish, chicken, and lamb. You can eat Zaalouk by itself or you can enjoy it with bread; It is so easy to make.
Side note: If you love Zaalouk, you need to try my Carrot Zaalouk Recipe.
Something Quick and Easy
This garlic mashed broccoli is ready in less than 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for a quick weekday dinner. You can also make it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 5 days. Don’t worry about reheating—it tastes just as good after chilling!
This comfort food is also easy on your wallet: At only $1.99 per serving, garlic mashed broccoli is one of the most affordable dishes I have made in a long time. The Garlic Mashed Broccoli recipe has 3 main ingredients: broccoli, garlic, and spices; served with crackers or cookies (or both!) it will be gone before you know it.
It’s an Excellent Side Dish
Garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure, and when paired with other delicious healthy ingredients such as broccoli, it tastes even better.
Since I discovered how easy it is to make your own garlic mashed broccoli, I have been making a batch every week.
It’s an excellent side dish for dinner parties or family gatherings. In fact, since coming up with my Garlic Mashed Broccoli recipe, I have started serving homemade Garlic Mashed Broccoli instead of mashed potatoes at family dinners.
Another bonus is that you only need twenty minutes to cook! The most difficult part of cooking your own recipe is trying new flavors and discovering what works and what doesn’t; but after you’ve made this dish for the first time, you can prepare whatever combination you want. So be creative!
Keto-Friendly
Lucky for us Broccoli is a keto-friendly food. It is naturally high in fiber and non starchy. Eating broccoli has unique health benefits.
Did you know that Broccoli is anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and it’s great for your eye health?
Wondering if you can have sour cream on keto? Yes, you can have sour cream. The main ingredients of sour cream are milk and cream. This means that it is low in carbs and fat. If your diet allows for a high intake of saturated fats, then you will benefit from consuming dairy products. Sour cream contains healthy bacteria called probiotics which support digestive health. It also contains Vitamin A, B-complex vitamins like folate and vitamin K.
Lemon Garlic Mashed Broccoli
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
| 10 Minutes | 20 Minutes | 30 Minutes |
First, gather your ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2-3 heads of broccoli
- 10 garlic cloves (diced)
- 1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley and cilantro
- 1 tbsp. of paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Juice of one lemon (I used one and a half) per your preference
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Wash broccoli thoroughly, cut it to small florets
- In a saucepan, boil water
- Add broccoli to boiling hot water pan until it is tender (about 3 to 5 minutes). 4. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat add half of the olive oil, add 3/4 of garlic then sauté mixture for 1 minute.
- Add broccoli and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Using a potato masher, mash broccoli.
- Add the cilantro, and parsley, the rest of garlic, olive oil, and lemon. Sauté for another 5 mins.
- Serve hot and enjoy with your choice of bread, crackers, or toast accompanied with grilled chicken, steak, or fish.
Serving Garlic Mashed Broccoli
This recipe is a great appetizer.
In addition to Moroccan Zaalouk, here are a few other dishes that pair well with broccoli: tabbouleh (by far my favorite), soup and crackers, quiche, lasagna, and pasta. Try them all and discover your favorites.
Don’t want to use Chives? Try scallions, leeks, or even shallots. You can also add a dollop of sour cream to your garlic mashed broccoli for a cool surprise.
The possibilities are endless! Prepare it your way and let me know how you like it and what you served it with. Comment below, I would love to hear from you. Don’t forget to include pictures too; remember pictures tell a thousand words!
