Broccoli with Garlic, Almonds and Asiago Cheese

This is one of my favorite side dishes and we eat it rather often.  It is super-easy, quick and rather healthy with a small amount of cheese added.  I think I got the idea years ago from Rachael Ray. 

The broccoli that I used was a great find at the local farmers market.  $1 a head!  Great prices, fresh and local!  Love it!

Ingredients:

2 lbs of fresh or frozen broccoli cut into spears

5 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup asiago cheese, grated

Directions:

Steam the broccoli.  Set aside.  Heat a large, nonstick pan to medium high heat and add olive oil.  Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.  Add the broccoli and almonds and toss all together.  Cook for about 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and top with the cheese.  Cover with foil if needed in order to melt the cheese.  Serve.

I am adding this post to Side Dish Showdown at Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice.

I am also linking this post to the following:

All the Small Stuff - Tuesdays at the Table
Balancing Beauty and Bedlam - Tasty Tuesday
GirliChef - Two for Tuesdays
Foodie Friday - Designs by Gollum

Broccoli with Balsamic Caramelized Onions

I am involved in the Sidedish Showdown at Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice.  We have been cooking and writing about side dishes that we are creating at home.  You ought to go and check out the other submissions.  There is some great food listed!

We eat a lot of broccoli in my house.  It is one of the only green foods that my husband and son will eat (and he won't eat that much).  I know we all get tired of the boring steamed broccoli so I wanted to change things up a little.  This is what I came up with.

2 cups red onions, sliced thinly
2 tbsp of olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups steamed broccoli
1 tbsp of butter
asiago cheese
Chopped parsley and basil (optional)

Add oil to a large nonstick pan over medium high heat.  Saute onions until caramelized (about 20 minutes).  Add vinegar and cook for 5 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Add steamed broccoli and butter and cook together for 3 minutes.  Remove from heat and top with cheese, parsley and basil.