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Broccoli flatbread is a type of pizza or flatbread that is made with a crust or dough that is topped with a variety of ingredients, including chopped or pureed broccoli, cheese, and seasonings. It is typically baked in an oven, and can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. Some variations of broccoli flatbread may also include additional toppings such as diced tomatoes, sliced onions, or crumbled bacon. The broccoli can be pureed and added to the dough for a different texture. It’s a great way to include more vegetables in your diet.
1-2 broccoli florets
3-4 garlic cloves
1.5 cups of ricotta cheese
1 block mozzarella cheese
2 Naan Flatbreads
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp basil
Cut up at least 2 cups of the broccoli into tiny pieces. Only 1 whole broccoli is necessary, but to add more is never a problem. Mince the garlic and set aside. While you’re doing this preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
Most recipes featuring broccoli flatbread is using pureed cooked broccoli mixed with flour to form the dough. While this does result in a thin and crispy flatbread with a distinct broccoli flavor, it’s just too much for me. If you are looking for a more challenging version of broccoli flatbread, The Green Kitchen does a great job showing how to make a vegetable version of the dough.
I love broccoli, it’s one of my favorite vegetables, but I think it goes great as a topping when cut small enough creating essentially a garlic pizza…topped with broccoli. However, I haven’t really discovered a premade pizza dough that I truly like, and making the dough from scratch is often just too much effort.
So, for this recipe, we’re using store bought Original Naan Bread made by Stonefire Authentic Flatbreads. Naan is a type of flatbread that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is typically made with a combination of white flour, yeast, salt, and yogurt or milk, which are mixed together to form a dough. The dough is then rolled out and cooked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven that is traditionally used in Indian cuisine.
Naan bread is known for its soft and slightly chewy texture, as well as its distinct, slightly sour flavor. It is often served as a side dish to accompany a variety of Indian dishes, but can also be used as pizzas, or in this scenario, broccoli flatbread.
These flatbreads really are authentic, so don’t feel like you’re taking the easy way out…you still need to do the rest.
In a small bowl, combine:
If you are looking to add a little spice, now would be time to sprinkle in some red pepper flakes, too. Whisk thoroughly and brush the mixture onto the bread, then bake for 8-10 minutes.
When it comes to cheese, we will not be taking the easy way out and buying the pre-shredded bags of cheese. I try to avoid those bags of cheese when possible or if I’m really trying to make something as great, the pre-shredded cheese often contains additives to prevent it from clumping together in the bag. These additives can affect the flavor and texture of the cheese.
Also, they are often made from older blocks of cheese that have been sitting in storage for a while. This can cause it to lose some of its flavor and texture compared to freshly grated cheese. Since this is a cheesy broccoli flatbread, I would highly recommend using the best quality cheese as possible.
While it may be a bit less convenient to do shred the cheese manually, there is something satisfying about grating a block of cheese using a grater or a food processor. This process can be time-consuming and requires a bit of effort, but it allows you to control the size and shape of the cheese shreds. I do believe doing this does help it taste more fresh and offer a better texture.
There are many ways to cook broccoli, but since this will be roasting in the oven and these are already cut fairly small, we just want to boil them for a few minutes to get them more tender and less hard. Add water to barely cover the broccoli, and boil for about 2-3 minutes.
Strain broccoli and set aside. You can season the broccoli separate if you would like, but we will be seasoning the entire flatbread anyway, so I don’t think it’s necessary.
You can use a baking sheet if you would like, but I prefer using my pampered chef pizza stone. A pizza stone is a flat, circular piece of stone or clay that is used for baking pizzas, breads, and other baked goods. It is placed in the oven and preheated along with the oven, and the dough is then placed directly on the stone to bake. Using a pizza stone has several advantages over using a baking sheet. It helps to distribute heat evenly across the surface, which prevents hotspots and ensures that the crust is cooked evenly.
The stone absorbs moisture from the dough as it bakes, which creates a crispier crust. The high heat of the stone also helps to create a more evenly risen crust and can add depth of flavor to the crust by absorbing some of the moisture and flavors from the dough. Pizza stones are also very durable and can last for many years with proper care.
Regardless of what you choose, place the dough on it and spread the freshly shredded mozzarella evenly across the flatbread, then add 4 tsp of of ricotta across each side of the flatbread, so roughly 8 small scoops in total. Each slice of the flatbread should have some ricotta on it and you will be cutting it into 8 total slices, but if that is too much ricotta for you, simply adjust accordingly.
Lastly, add your broccoli along with some salt and pepper, then top with some parmesan cheese and drizzle with some olive oil to finish. Bake for roughly 18-20 minutes.
The total bake time should be 30 minutes between the initial 10 minute preheating of the dough, and the additional 10 minutes of baking with the toppings. Simply garnish final product with some fresh or dry parsley and dig in!
Riley’s Pizza
Flatbreads have a long history of popularity in many cultures around the world, and they continue to be popular today for a number of reasons. One reason is their simplicity and ease of preparation. Flatbreads typically require only a few basic ingredients, and they can be quickly and easily made with minimal effort. This makes them a convenient choice for busy individuals or families.
Flatbreads are also very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. They can be served as a snack, as part of a meal, or as a base for a range of toppings, from savory to sweet. This versatility allows them to be adapted to suit different tastes and preferences. In addition to their simplicity and versatility, flatbreads are also known for their portability. They can be easily transported and eaten on the go, making them a convenient choice for busy people with busy schedules.
Finally, flatbreads have the ability to be adapted to different cuisines and cultural traditions. They can be found in many different parts of the world and can be flavored and topped in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and preferences. Overall, the simplicity, versatility, portability, and adaptability of flatbreads make them a popular choice in many different settings.
