Broccoligate! is This Really President Obama's Favorite Snack?

Ready for the Oval Office.
Ready for the Oval Office.

During the Kids' State Dinner, President Obama revealed his favorite snack food: broccoli! Generations of kids have grown up pretending the vegetables are little trees, downing them one after the other. Some people think the President was stretching the truth when he extolled broccoli's virtues, but we don't think anyone could resist this cheesy recipe!

Baked Broccoli and Cheese

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
salt and pepper
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup grated white cheddar cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 large head of broccoli, about 1 pound, cut into individual florets
1 slice white bread
1 clove garlic - minced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Related: 25 veggie-packed recipes you'll crave - a healthier pizza, confetti corn quesadillas, and more!

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slowly whisk in milk, a drizzle at first, until flour mixture is no longer clumping and becomes smooth. Whisk in the rest of the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, add bay leaf, onion, nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste (a large pinch each). Continue to cook, stirring occasionally.

3. Meanwhile, fill a large saucepan with water to about half way. Bring to a boil and add a generous amount of salt (a couple of tablespoons). Add broccoli to the pot and boil for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly. Mix cheese into the white sauce and stir until melted. Add cream. Gently stir in broccoli and pour into greased 8 x 8 baking dish.

4. In the bowl of a mini food processor (or blender), pulse garlic until finely chopped. Tear slice of bread into medium sized pieces and add to bowl, pulsing to make fine bread crumbs. Add Parmesan cheese and pulse a few more times to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over broccoli mixture and bake for 30 minutes or until topping is browned and cheese sauce is bubbling. Serve immediately.

- By Alison Needham

For 9 more broccoli recipes to serve at your next state dinner, visit Spoonful!

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