I was running low on veg for a Sunday lunch, so asked a friend to pick up some broccoli on her way. She arrived with not one, not 2, but 5 whole broccoli’s. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like broccoli, but 5 is quite a hefty amount of greenery to wade through. So, on Tuesday evening at 7:30pm chorizo-broccoli cheese was born. It was a momentous occasion and I was rather sad to be alone to witness it, as I not only thought it wonderfully delicious, but it meant that I sunk an entire dish by myself.

Ingredients:

• 2 x broccoli’s – cut into small florets
• 2 chorizo cooking sausages – get the best quality you can find. I bought mine from Brindisa.
• 25g butter
• 25g plain flour
• 1 pint of milk
• 50g strong cheddar plus extra for the top
• Good pinch of paprika
• Handful of breadcrumbs

Method:

1. Steam the broccoli until tender. Place in an overproof dish.
2. Place the chopped up chorizo into a saucepan. Brown the meat, remove from heat and mix with the broccoli.
3. Melt the butter in a pan and then add the flour. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and gradually add the milk, whisking, until you have a sauce like consistency.
5. Return the pan onto a low heat and add the cheese, paprika and season. Stir well (make sure it’s lump free!).
6. Pour over the broccoli and chorizo. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs
7. Grill until golden brown.

Directions for use: Encourage guests to bring their own vegetables… it leads to wonderful things.