INGREDIENTS:

 
6 cups fresh broccoli florets or 2-10 packages of frozen broccoli florets
1 teaspoon Kosher or Sea Salt for blanching water
2 cups grated extra sharp cheddar cheese (1/2 pound)
4 strips of thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch wide strips or 1 cup diced ham 
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
5 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup heavy or whole cream
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoons freshly ground black peppercorns (Tellicherry)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 cup finely chopped sweet onion

Place an 10 quart stock pot half filled with water over high heat; add salt and bring to a boil.  Add the broccoli florets and boil for 5 minutes or until just tender enough but still firm.  While water is boiling, sauté the bacon and onions in a medium skilled over medium heat but not completely done; remove from skillet and place on paper towels to drain excess grease.  Pour florets into a colander, strain add florets to cold water to stop cooking and drain. 

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray a 2 1/2 or 3 quart casserole dish with non-sticking cooking spray.   In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs into the flour, then whisk in the cream and milk.  Add black pepper (to taste) salt, and paprika.  Mix in about one half of the cheese.  Add the boiled broccoli florets, bacon, onions to the mixture and pour the mixture into the casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese.  Bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 40 to 45 minutes until set and golden brown.  Remove from oven and let set 30 minutes prior to serving.

YIELD:   8 servings

Above broccoli n cheese casserole baked and served on 09-03-13 with cream cheese mashed potatoes and Murray's Mexican Meatloaf and was outstanding. 

Click on thumbnail sequence pixs below for a larger view:

This is a little different twist to the regular broccoli cheese casserole without the canned soups and/or crackers used as binders.  The eggs, milk, flour and cream does an excellent job of binding with some visual and taste contrast with the onions and bacon.  Outstanding taste and texture!  This is very good side dish with my honey sesame chicken.

Web published by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 07-22-12 with updated pixs on 09-03-13.

LEAVING ON A SPIRITUAL NOTE