Child-friendly, organic broccoli au gratin recipe

June 27, 6:48 PMCheese ExaminerP.A. Flaherty

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Trying to get a child to eat enough green vegetables can seem like a Middle East peace summit. Praise and negotiations can at times be followed by bribery or threats (like the threat of removing Wii tennis time from the daily schedule). One kindergartener I know flat out refused to eat broccoli EVER, or as he called them, “those nasty, bushy, little trees.”

The challenge to busy cooks these days is to stick to the budget while keeping meals for children interesting and healthy. If your child or nephew disdains salad or plain vegetables, why not increase the fun quotient with a thick, gooey cheese sauce? What, parents might ask, eating healthy can include cheese? Yes it can. As those wise, ancient Greek chefs once said, “All things in moderation.” To balance nutrition and caloric intake, pair steamed vegetables bathed in a tasty organic au gratin sauce with a lighter entrée such as salmon or turkey. By using organic cheese, a parent can support their child’s health and organic dairy farming. Just watch how quickly those “bushy little trees” disappear when swathed a rich, cheesy sauce!
 

Child-friendly, organic broccoli au gratin recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb. fresh, organic broccoli
3/4 tsp. Salt (Sea salt is preferred)
3 tsp. real, creamery butter
3 tsp. Flour
¼ tsp. dried mustard
1 1/2 cup organic Milk
3/4 cup grated, organic cheddar cheese
Topping:
3 tablespoons Italian style bread crumbs
A pinch of paprika
Optional-1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Steam the broccoli and gently pat it dry.
Place the broccoli in a greased casserole dish and set it aside.
To make the organic “Au Gratin” sauce:
In a saucepan, combine butter, flour, and dried mustard. Mix them together well.
Stir in the organic milk gradually.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat to simmer and continue stirring.
Add 1/2 t. salt. Stir. Simmer for 1 minute longer on low heat.
Stir in the organic cheese; stirring sauce until the cheese melts.
Remove the well blended sauce from heat.
Pour the organic Au Gratin sauce over the steamed broccoli.
Sprinkle the casserole with the topping only until covered.
Optional-topping can include 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake broccoli au gratin casserole at 325 for 25-30 minutes.
Garnish with a pinch of paprika and serve to happy children.

For more family-pleasing organic meals consult www.examiner.com/x-693-Organic-Food-Examiner