Broccoli and Baked Potatoes

To prepare a delicious potato gratin with broccoli, we will start by preparing the necessary ingredients. First, we peel some potatoes (about 600 grams) and slice them thinly, about 1 cm thick, so they cook evenly. Then, we take care of the broccoli: we use half a kilogram of fresh broccoli, which we wash well and break into florets. In a large pot, we bring water to a boil and add salt. Once the water is boiling, we add the potatoes and broccoli and let them boil for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly soft, but not fully cooked. After that, we remove them and drain them well.

In a frying pan, we add 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil and heat it over medium heat. We add a few cloves of garlic, finely chopped, and let them brown slightly to release their unmistakable aroma. Once the garlic turns golden, we add the boiled broccoli florets, which we will gently mash with a fork. This step will help integrate them into the béchamel sauce we will prepare.

To this mixture, we incorporate 6 tablespoons of béchamel sauce, which we can prepare from butter, flour, and milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. We bring the composition to a balanced taste by adding salt and pepper to preference. This sauce will give creaminess and a rich flavor to our dish.

Next, we take care of the baking dish where we will bake the gratin. We grease it with butter and sprinkle a little breadcrumbs to prevent sticking. We lay an even layer of potato slices on the bottom of the dish, which we salt and drizzle with a little olive oil. On top, we distribute the broccoli mixture with the béchamel sauce, ensuring that we cover each piece of potato.

To add extra flavor, we sprinkle grated cheese on top (preferably mozzarella or cheddar) and another thin layer of breadcrumbs, which will form a crispy and golden crust at the end.

We preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and place the dish inside. We let the gratin bake for 30-40 minutes, until the surface becomes browned and appetizing. When it is ready, we take the gratin out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This recipe is perfect as a side dish or as a main course, being a delicious combination of vegetables and cheese that will delight all taste buds. Enjoy your meal!