Broccoli With Sizzled Nuts and Dates
Updated Jan. 8, 2024
- Total Time
- 30 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 20 minutes
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
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Ingredients
Yield:2 to 4 servings
- 4tablespoons olive oil
- ½cup raw assorted nuts and seeds, like pecans, pepitas or cashews (or a combination), roughly chopped
- Kosher salt
- 2teaspoons coarsely cracked black peppercorns
- 3medjool dates, pitted and torn (or ⅓ cup dried fruit, chopped if large)
- 1tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1large head broccoli (about 1½ pounds)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
234 calories; 14 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 26 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 15 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 482 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered byPreparation
- Step 1
To a medium skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the assorted nuts and seeds. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the nuts and seeds look golden and smell toasty, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Step 2
Season generously with salt, then add the pepper and dates. Cook, stirring frequently, until the dates are plump and the pepper is aromatic, about 1 minute. Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice, and set aside.
- Step 3
Heat the broiler to high and place a rimmed sheet pan on the oven rack about 6 inches below the broiler.
- Step 4
Trim the dry end off the broccoli and peel the stem. Cut broccoli stem in half lengthwise, then pull it apart to break the head in half. Cut into individual florets, each with a long spear of stem attached. Wash broccoli, then dry thoroughly in a salad spinner. (If you don’t have a salad spinner, bundle the broccoli in a large kitchen towel and spin it around outside.)
- Step 5
In a large mixing bowl, toss broccoli with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, rubbing it well with your hands to coat evenly and thoroughly. Season with kosher salt. Arrange broccoli on the heated sheet pan, then broil until crisp-tender and charred in spots, 8 to 10 minutes. (Keep a close eye on it, as different broilers have different power levels.)
- Step 6
Transfer the broccoli to a platter, spoon over the nut and date mixture, and serve immediately.
Private Notes
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Cooking Notes
Sharoba
This nut-date topping is fantastic. I used pecans and pistachios, charred the broccoli and served it over farro. Delicious!
Lisa
Fine idea, except why bother with the broiler? Put the cruciforms back in the still-hot pan, and stir around while they blacken. I add a little water at the end and put a lit on to get a little steam cooking if needed. Add the other ingredients for some more heat just before serving. One pan, no waiting.
Ed S
I prefer to roast the broccoli at @425* for about 20 minutes to deepen the flavor while remaining crunchy. Also provides a larger margin of error to avoid over charring.
Neelu
Roasted broccoli is much easier in an Air Fryer if you have one. 360 for 3-6 minutes depending on quantity
Golem
Toasting nuts in a toaster oven, if you have one, for about 6 to 7 minutes results in perfectly toasted and not-burned nuts. Pan toasting requires constant attention and if you turn away for a minute you've got char. Different toaster ovens may vary in the time needed but once you've got it down bob's-your-uncle.
Kate
What a lovely addition to the broccoli rotation. I used pecans and pepitas with the dates. Easy and delicious.
Kit
I have made this several times, roasting at 425F instead of broiling. I microwave the broccoli, misted with a little water, for 2-3 minutes before roasting. It retains its bright color and crunch but I don’t have to watch it as closely as I would have to if broiling. Last night I used a combination of walnuts, pecans, and a few pistachios, using walnut oil instead of olive oil. That was the best version so far. Going to try this with cauliflower next.
Anne
I guess this is close to how I prepare broccoli anyway so it made sense to me. Here is another way to say it: Remove the tough end of the stem and discard it. Peel the stem up to the crown. Cut through the stem lengthwise but leave the crown intact; then pull apart the two stem halves to gently separate the two halves of the crown. Cut the two half-heads lengthwise several times to make slender spears, each having some stem and crown.
Mel M
This was a hit with my family. So much so that I re-made the nut and date topping the next morning and we have been throwing it on everything (and, I confess, eating it by the spoonful).
xtina
Delicious. You can air fry the broccoli to save time, but nothing beats a slow roast in the oven for taste. Used szechuan peppercorns for an extra kick!
Dave
This can easily be done in a wok, skipping the broiling, but giving a similar result. I did it in two stages with the nuts and dates first, then setting that aside to dry sauté the broccoli before recombining all. Two things to clean. Pretty good, if not identical.
Peter K
I used sliced almonds, walnuts and dates., plain California were fine. More the merrier. The lemon juice should be stirred into the mixture off the heat and set aside. 8 minutes under a close hi broiler is fine.
Andrea CK
I've made this a few times. Interesting recipe. I might add a pinch of Korean pepper to the next batch.
Dodie Jacobi
Expect those sizzled nuts to show up in other dishes! Breakfast oatmeal with a maple drizzle to finish? Yip. Even with all that black pepper.
BRS
Quite tasty. The dates and broccoli are a great combination and the nuts complement the dish well. The problem is getting the nut and date mixture to adhere to the broccoli. Basically, one has to fork a piece of broccoli and the scoop up the nut mixture but the flavors are great
Em
I discovered that the last of my dates had been consumed so roasted some sweet potato cubes instead. Delicious! Love the toasted and seasoned nuts. What a great idea to combine with roasted broccoli. Next time I’ll try the dates.
Chris
Delicious. Like several other commenters, I roasted the broccoli (25 mins @ 400F) along with, on a separate sheet pan, quartered cremini mushrooms (17 min) I’d tossed in olive oil and seasoned with sea salt. I thought the combination worked well with the date topping, which really does only need a minute to cook.
JST
I was skeptical about this one, even though I love all the ingredients but is delicious and now it in our family rotation.
Adrienne
This is delicious!! Easy and I look forward to keeping it in the broccoli rotation.
SRB
Awesome served over farro. Added a little date syrup and chili oil.
Modifications
Excellent! Steamed broccoli in the MW first, then broiled about 8-10 minutes Used pecans and walnuts Like the ratio but may have had less broccoli than called for Lemon is a must
SRB
I am switching to more plant-based meals and found this pretty delicious over cooked farro. However, I wish it were a little sassier. Does anyone have any suggestions how to have the topping have a little more liquid? Thanks.
georgia
Loooved this! The combination of nuts / dates / black pepper is excellent. I roasted my broccoli and used a mix of almonds and pecans. Served it with edamame beans, baked tofu, and chilli crisp for lunch.
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