Broccoli Crown
📜 Collection: Patsy’s Collection | ✍️ Attribution: Barbara Osborne | 📂 Category: Sides An elegant and savory baked broccoli crown served with herb-butter tomatoes, perfect for special family dinners. This vintage molded casserole features a rich sauce and a tender vegetable base.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mins | 30 mins | 5 mins (Standing) | 6–8 Servings |
🔪 Key Equipment
- Saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- 5-cup mold
- Baking pan
Ingredients
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 lbs | Broccoli | Or chopped frozen, cooked until just crunchy and drained well |
| ¼ Cup | Onion | Chopped |
| 4 Tbsp | Butter | For sautéing |
| 4 Tbsp | Flour | None |
| 1 Tsp | Seasoned Salt | None |
| 1 Cup | Milk | None |
| 3 | Eggs | Slightly beaten |
| ½ Cup | Mayonnaise | None |
| ¼ Cup | Parsley | Chopped |
Herb-Butter Tomatoes
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Tbsp | Butter | For Herb-Butter Tomatoes |
| ½ Tsp | Mayonnaise | For Herb-Butter Tomatoes (listed as Marjoram in instructions) |
| As needed | Tomatoes | For Herb-Butter Tomatoes |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Base and Sauce
- Cook 2 lbs broccoli until just crunchy; drain well.
- Sauté ¼ cup chopped onion in 4 tbsp butter.
- Stir in 4 tbsp flour and 1 tsp seasoned salt; cook until bubbly.
- Stir in 1 cup milk and cook until it thickens and boils one minute.
Step 2: Combine and Bake
- Beat 3 eggs slightly.
- Add a little sauce to mix with the eggs, then stir the eggs back into the sauce.
- Cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, until the mixture thickens again.
- Stir in ½ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup parsley.
- Fold the sauce into the drained broccoli.
- Spoon into a well-greased 5-cup mold, set the mold in a baking pan, and place the pan on an oven rack.
- Pour boiling water into the baking pan to a depth of about one inch.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until set.
Step 3: Unmold and Serve
- Let stand a few minutes, loosen, then invert the broccoli crown onto a serving dish.
- Prepare Herb-Butter Tomatoes: Melt 2 tbsp butter with ½ tsp marjoram, stir in tomatoes, and cook for 5 minutes or just until heated through.
- Serve with Herb-Butter Tomatoes in the center.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: The broccoli mixture can be assembled and spooned into the mold a few hours ahead before baking in the water bath just prior to serving.
Original Recipe Scan
