Roasted Broccoli with Pine Nuts

Hello all– When I was a kid, our home did not see a lot of fresh cooked veggies– We were a whole big tableful of picky eaters!!  My mom would make broccoli (for herself!).  And we would beg her to leave it in the kitchen with the lid on so we didn’t have to smell it!

Then I married Larry– the veggie guy.  “Where’s the Brussel sprouts? the spinach? the broccoli? he wanted to know.  So “for love” I learned to eat all kinds of fresh vegetables  (thanks Larry).  Here is the latest of our vegetable finds– roasted broccoli– generously seasoned with the distinct taste/texture of pine nuts thrown in.  It’s enough to make a girl love her veggies!

ROASTED BROCCOLI WITH PINE NUTS
1 large head (bunch) of broccoli
1/2 cup pine nuts (or walnuts, almonds)
3 or 4 tab. olive oil
1/2 tsp. garlic salt (or table salt)
1/2 tsp. dried basil
freshly ground pepper to taste

Cut the main stem off of the broccoli and discard.  Chop the rest to small bits.  In a mixing bowl, stir together the broccoli, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic salt, basil and pepper.

Spread the broccoli mixture onto a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Roast it in a 400 degree over for 10 to 15 minutes (just cook until the broccoli is tender, not browned). Serve it up piping hot– delish!

P.S.  I buy the big bags of pine nuts at Costco and they keep a long long time in the fridge.  It costs a bit, but so much less expensive than those tiny $8 bags of pine nuts at the market.  (cheapskate tip!)