Broccoli with Gouda Sauce

Clockwise from top left: Broccoli Recipe, Ulrich's Meat Market, Frisian Farms Gouda,
Cheese Carriers in Pella Tulip Time Parade

Gouda cheese is a Dutch specialty; we stopped by Ulrich's Meat Market in Pella, Iowa to pick up some smoked Gouda to use in this recipe from “Better Homes and Gardens Comfort Food" and for sandwiches.  We love the rich, smoky flavor.  However, I have also used regular Gouda or Swiss cheese in this recipe and we liked that too.  For a real treat, try Frisian Farms cheese, our local Gouda or some of the imported Goudas they carry.  You can buy just what you want sliced.

This time I substituted a handful of canned onion rings for the bread crumbs to finish them up.  I also like buttered cracker crumbs or a sprinkling of cornflakes for topping for sauced dishes like this.  You can also precook your broccoli with a tablespoon or two of water in a covered casserole in the microwave if you don't have a steamer, but a steamer does broccoli beautifully!  Don’t overcook. 

I made mine in individual 12 ounce casseroles for a nice presentation… and baked 12 minutes, until the sauce was bubbly.  Delicious!

Smokey Gouda-sauced Broccoli

  1 1/4   Pounds  Broccoli -- cut in spears

  1        Tablespoon  Butter

     1/2  Cup  Onion -- chopped , 1 medium

  2        Teaspoons  Garlic -- minced

  2        Tablespoons  Flour, All-purpose

     1/4  Teaspoon  Salt

     1/8  Teaspoon  Pepper

  1 1/2  cups  Milk

     3/4  Cup  Gouda Cheese -- shredded 3 ounces

     3/4  cup  Soft Bread Crumbs -- 1 slice bread

  2        Teaspoons  Butter -- melted

• Preheat oven to 425°.  Place a steamer basket in a large saucepan.   Add water to just below the bottom of the steamer basket.  Bring water to boiling.  Add broccoli to steamer basket.  Cover and reduce heat.  Steam for 6 to 8 minutes or just until crisp-tender.
• Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium saucepan, melt the 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic; cook until tender.  Stir in flour, salt and pepper.  Stir in milk.  Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.  Gradually add cheese, stirring until melted.
• Transfer broccoli to a 1 1/2 quart au gratin dish or a 2 quart square baking dish.  Pour sauce over broccoli.  Combine breadcrumbs and butter, sprinkle over sauce.  Bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until crumbs are light brown.

6 Servings
Per Serving: 163 Calories; 10g Fat (50.9% calories from fat); 8g Protein; 12g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 33mg Cholesterol; 313mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates