My new favorite vegetable

If you know me very well at all, you know how crazy I am about zucchini cooked on the grill until it's charred on the outside and still crisp in the center. You've gotta cut it into quarters, spray with a little Pam olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and set it over direct flame. There's nothing better in the summertime! I have been known to skip over my steak or burger and just eat the zucchini with a HUGE smile on my face when it's done just right. Ahhh, so delish!

Lately, I've fallen in love with something that is JUST as good and -- because there's no grill preparation needed -- might even take less preparation than the zucchini! It's fresh, healthy, full of flavor, it goes with just about anything, and it's really quick and easy to fix. I've made small batches for just Carlton and me (yes, Carlton even loves this stuff!!!!!), and I've also made huge batches to feed 8-10 guests.

Baked Parmesan Broccoli:

1 package of fresh broccoli
Good olive oil
Grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Maybe some red pepper flakes for a little kick

- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut broccoli florets from their stalks. (If it's a large side dish, as if chicken and broccoli is all you're having for dinner, I usually prepare one broccoli stalk per person. If it's a smaller side dish to go along with two or more things, cut at your discretion.)
- Spread broccoli onto a nonstick baking sheet and drizzle very lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on lightly (I just use the stuff we sprinkle on our pizza at home -- nothing expensive!) and toss everything around to get it all evenly distributed.
- Make sure everything is spread out on the baking sheet well.
- Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. (The Parmesan cheese tends to get a little salty when it bakes, so while you do want a little salt, go easy on it and salt more on your plate if it's needed.)
- Bake for about 10 minutes, and voila! You've got a delicious, flavorful, and healthy side dish that everyone is sure to love.

We ate this all gone from our plates before I thought to take a picture. Yes, it's that good!!!

(Sometimes, if I'm feeling spicy enough, I'll sprinkle on some red pepper flakes once the broccoli is on my plate. It spares Carlton's sensitive senses that way. Yummmmm for me!!!)