Bring on the Broccoli!

Years ago, "bring on the broccoli" are words I'm sure I would've never thought I would say.  As a kid, like many kids, I was a super picky eater.  SUPER. PICKY. EATER.  I can't stress it enough.  These days, picky eaters are stressing me out as I'm paying for it with two picky eaters of my own... three if you count my husband!  Now that I'm older and my taste buds have matured, I'm not so picky and I really do enjoy eating my veggies.  (You were right, mom!)
I figure even if my kids don't eat as many vegetables these days as I'd like them too, if I keep offering it and they see me eating them, they'll eventually come around, right?  RIGHT?!?!?  Ugh...
Anyway, the weather is finally starting to warm up here in good ol' Minnesota.  So, like many Minnesotans, my mind goes to the coming days of playing outside in the warm sunshine with the kids, flowers, gardens, etc.  I've already started planning this years garden.  I just can't wait for all those fresh veggies! 
I recently grabbed a bag of fresh, sweet baby broccoli at the store.  I planned to just sauté it up but then I went out to dinner with friends and was inspired by an appetizer I had tried.  As I drove home that night, the wheels in my head started turning and I wanted to recreate something similar at home.  Since I was working with a different vegetable all together, the results were different, obviously, but delicious, nonetheless.
If you love broccoli, try this recipe.  If you've ever tried broccoli and it wasn't your fav, try this recipe. So pretty much just saying you need to try this.  It's effortless with minimal time and ingredients, but the results?  Sweet, crispy and HEALTHY!

Sweet Baby Broccoli with Honey & Almonds

*One bag of baby broccoli (You don't have to make the whole bag. Just grab what you think you'll eat. Plus a bit more. You'll thank me later!)

*Olive oil

*Salt

*Honey

*Slivered Almonds

Preheat your oven to 350. Grab a foil lined cookie sheet and lay out your baby broccoli. Then, grab a bowl and fill with a bit of olive oil.  I used about a teaspoon or two, gave my youngest a kitchen "paint brush" and let her paint the oil on the broccoli. Sprinkle on a little salt and then drizzle some honey over the broccoli.  Top with some slivered almonds.  Pop the pan in the oven and check after 5 minutes.  Then keep a close eye on it... broccoli can burn pretty quickly!  Mine took about 7 minutes or so until it was tender.  As soon as it looks to be a brighter green and feels a bit tender, take it out of the oven and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

So... did this recipe get my youngest daughter to eat her broccoli?  Nope.  I'm not a miracle worker.  My oldest, who is finally a raw broccoli fan, was more willing to try it and gave it a thumbs up.  One down, one to go!