Mediterranean Diet Friendly Lemon & Olive Oil Broccoli Mash
Broccoli gets a serious glow-up here, transformed from a simple steamed side into a vibrant, creamy mash that feels both comforting and genuinely exciting. The real magic comes from garlic slowly bloomed in good extra-virgin olive oil — it mellows and sweetens just enough to coat every bit of the mash with deep, savory flavor. A hit of lemon zest and fresh lemon juice keeps things bright, while a pinch of turmeric adds a warm golden hue that makes the whole bowl look stunning on the table. This is exactly the kind of dish that fits naturally into a plant-forward, olive-oil-centered way of eating — whole vegetables, healthy fats, and nothing processed in sight. You can keep it rustic and chunky or mash it smooth enough to rival any potato purée, depending on your mood. A final drizzle of olive oil and a scatter of fresh parsley right before serving takes it from weeknight easy to dinner-party worthy without any extra effort. It's the kind of recipe that quietly becomes a staple once you realize how much flavor you can pull from such simple, honest ingredients.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 lbs broccoli (about 2 medium heads), cut into florets, stems peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Fill a large pot with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli florets and chopped stems, cover, and steam until completely tender and a fork slides through the thickest stem piece with no resistance, 10–12 minutes. Drain thoroughly in a colander and let sit for 1 minute to allow excess steam to escape.
- 2
While the broccoli steams, warm the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat immediately.
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