Cheesy Broccoli Rice

We love broccoli in this house  (Shut up Todd!  You know you do!)  We also love rice!  When you throw both of them together and add cheese, well  . . .  we are in Cheesy Broccoli Rice heaven!  This is so easy and so quick to make!

It goes together in very short order.  Your family will absolutely adore it.  What is it about the combination of broccoli and cheese that just has people begging for more??  I am not sure, but it's very popular!

And in all honesty this is so simple to make, you won't mind putting it onto your supper menu fairly often.  I think I make it about once a week.  You can use brown rice if you wish, but do take into consideration that if you use brown rice the cook time will be quite a bit longer.  It is substantially healthier though with brown rice.

I like to use a low fat cheddar also.  It works perfectly well in this.  Using a full head of broccoli ensures that the broccoli and rice ratio is about half and half, but nobody minds.

The broccoli is cooked until crispy tender prior to stirring it into the cheese/rice mixture, and then served.  It stays a brilliant green and has a lovely consistency that goes well with the rice.  Altogether this makes a perfect side dish.

It goes well with chicken or fish.  In fact I have been known to sit down and just sit down and eat a bowl of this all on it's own.  Know what I like best about it?  Besides the fact that it is super easy and super tasty???  I know exactly what is in it.  Nothing artificial.  Just plain good, natural ingredients.

*Cheesy Broccoli Rice*

Serves 4 - 6

(Depending on appetites)

Printable Recipe 

This is simple and delicious.  One of our favourites, and there are no artificial ingredients or cream soups used.  It goes together in a flash. 

1 TBS olive oil

210g long grain rice (1 cup)

500ml of chicken broth (2 cups)

1 medium head of broccoli, chopped

120g of grated strong white cheddar cheese (1 cup)

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp black pepper

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add the rice.  Cook, stirring constantly, until the rice begins to toast.  Add the chicken broth.  Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover tightly.   Cook for 15 - 20 minutes until the rice is tender.

While the rice is cooking cook the broccoli.  Place into a microwave safe bowl along with 2 TBS of water.  Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 minutes.  Remove and allow to stand for about a minute, then drain.
 

Stir the cheese, garlic powder and pepper into the cooked rice.  Stir in the cheese until it melted.  Stir in the cooked broccoli and then serve.

If your family doesn't label this recipe as a winner/winner, I would be most surprised!

Bon Appetit!