a side dish miracle: cheesy broccoli millet

cheesy broccoli millet | everybody likes sandwiches

My email inbox today was blasted by at least a dozen eye-hurting emails announcing various sales for black Friday. Years ago when I worked at a record store, we’d say thanks to the shoppers, shopping bags in hand, by wishing them a “happy buy nothing day“. We were smarmy scenesters who wore only thrift-store clothes and made minimum wage. A few years later, I worked as a web designer for Adbusters, the anti-consumerist magazine who started the concept of buy nothing day. And now as the big shopping day arrives, I just want some calm and quiet. Instead of blinking animated gifs and muzak, I’m passing along this delicious and wholesome recipe. Broccoli and millet with a little punch of strong cheddar cheese to make things more interesting.

cheesy broccoli millet | everybody likes sandwiches

There’s not much to do here. Just prepare the millet and when it’s about 10 minutes shy from ready, add in a bunch of chopped broccoli. When it’s done, stir in a little grated cheese. Done. It’s a side dish miracle!

cheesy broccoli millet | everybody likes sandwiches

cheesy broccoli millet | everybody likes sandwiches

It’s such a simple recipe with no crazy spices or out-there flavours. Instead, it’s calm and comforting and would be the kind of thing to remind me of childhood if I had heard of millet way back then. My childhood loss is my adult gain because millet is awesome (if you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know I think millet is much more delicious than quinoa). Though, if you’ve got quinoa in your cupboard, please feel free to use that instead.

cheesy broccoli millet | everybody likes sandwiches

elsewhere: See those triangle orange things in the photo below? That is some tasty glazed tofu. Get the hot & sweet marmalade glazed tofu recipe over at Poppytalk. It’s also another quick and easy-to-love recipe.

cheesy broccoli millet | everybody likes sandwiches

16 comments to “a side dish miracle: cheesy broccoli millet”

  1. 1
    Joanne (Bijoux)   November 23, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    This is why I think you are soooo AWESOME, kickpleat! I love the concept of “Buy Nothing Day” which is exactly what I did today…buy nothing. Am I just clueless or is Black Friday a relatively recent concept? I had never heard of it prior to 3-4 years ago.

    I saw you Flickr pics with the marmalade tofu and immediately zeroed in on the green-speckled mound on the plate. I was curious as to what that was. Now I know and it looks yummy!!!

  2. 2
    Joanne   November 24, 2012 at 5:18 am

    I can’t get down with black friday either…it actually makes me NOT want to shop.

    I love the cheese and broccoli combo! WHat a delicious side dish!

  3. 3
    Catherine   November 24, 2012 at 9:10 am

    Thankfully we don’t have Black Friday in the UK because Thanksgiving isn’t a thing. Haven’t ever cooked with millet before. Do you have to always ‘toast’ it? Anyway this looks great. I have been throwing small bits of broccoli into soups and casseroles at the end of cooking a lot recently. This looks perfect. Made a nice soup with puy lentils, carrots, garlic and onions and threw some chopped up broccoli in the other day. Topped it with cottage cheese and it was satisfying.

  4. 4
    Robert F   November 26, 2012 at 10:16 pm

    I made this simple dish; used farro is it was what I had on hand. Casual substitution seems to make sense in a dish that would have felt right at home in Moosewood or other classic hippie cookbooks.

    Anyway, it’s not a classic, but it was righteous, simple, healthy food. A good recovery meal after completing yesterday’s Seattle Marathon (10 minute miles).

  5. 5
    Christian Rene Friborg   November 26, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    Quinoa’s great!

  6. 6
    kickpleat   November 27, 2012 at 9:02 am

    Bijoux, I think the concept of Black Friday did only start in Canada very recently, but it’s been a huge shopping day in the States for a long time. As for this dish, it is very delicious 🙂

    Joanne, I know, I think the crowds would drive me nuts & I hope you give this a try!

    Catherine, you don’t have to toast it but I always do thinking it will give me some more flavour! I do the same with quinoa too. Hooray for broccoli!

    I’m all for substitutions, Robert, so I’m glad it turned out well. Righteous indeed and hooray for your Seattle marathon run!! Nicely done.

    Christian, give millet a try too!

  7. 7
    Sues   November 27, 2012 at 11:25 am

    Food is better than shopping. And this dish looks just perfect for a side, lunch, or dinner.

    But I do love shopping, too!

  8. 8
    Danabee   November 27, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    Another winner! Made and devoured it tonight. Love the farro idea. Easy peasy. Wondering now about chopped greens…. Thank you!

  9. 9
    kickpleat   November 27, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    Sues, oh, I love shopping too, don’t get me wrong. I just felt a little overwhelmed & Black Friday isn’t even a huge deal in Canada!

    Danabee, so glad you enjoyed it! Easy and good – always a good thing to have a recipe like this in your back pocket 🙂

  10. 10
    The Cozy Herbivore   November 28, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    I sure do love cheese stirred into things… it’s like the lazy woman’s mac n’ cheese, and just as delicious! Love the idea to use millet and that broccoli looks divine. Great recipe!

  11. 11
    kickpleat   November 29, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    Yes, a most excellent description by calling it a lazy person’s mac & cheese!! Love it, CH!

  12. 12
    Joanne (Bijoux)   December 6, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    Made this – loved it!! 🙂

  13. 13
    kickpleat   December 6, 2012 at 6:02 pm

    Joanne, I’m so glad to hear it!!!

  14. 14
    Catherine   December 10, 2012 at 8:17 am

    I finally managed to find some millet and am going to try this tonight – am going to use some brussel sprouts as well as broccoli.

  15. 15
    kickpleat   December 10, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Catherine, hope you enjoy the millet and this dish. I think brussels sprouts is an excellent addition!

  16. 16
    erin   July 27, 2013 at 5:22 am

    We made this last night for dinner and it was soooo good! I think it’s the most I’ve ever enjoyed millet in a recipe…just ate some leftovers for breakfast! 🙂

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