Velvety Broccoli Purée
A simple yet elegant side dish that turns everyday broccoli into a silky, flavorful purée.
- Prep10 min
- Cook20 min
- Total30 min
- DifficultyEasy
- Servings6
This broccoli purée is a wonderful way to elevate a humble vegetable into something special. The combination of tender broccoli, sautéed onions, and a touch of sour cream creates a smooth, creamy texture that pairs beautifully with roasted meats or fish.
Starting with a quick sauté of onions in butter, the broccoli is then simmered until perfectly tender. A final blitz in the food processor with fresh thyme and sour cream yields a luscious purée that's both comforting and sophisticated. A pat of butter and a sprinkle of chives make for an elegant presentation.
Ingredients
Servings
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- In a large pot, melt half of the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Pour in the water, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Add the broccoli florets and sliced stems, then bring the liquid to a boil.
- Cover the pot tightly, reduce the heat to low, and let the broccoli simmer until very tender, about 15 minutes.
- Transfer all the contents of the pot (including the cooking liquid) to a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the remaining butter and the fresh thyme leaves.
- Pulse until the mixture is broken down but still a bit chunky. Then add the sour cream and process until completely smooth.
- Taste and adjust the salt if needed (you may want to add up to ¾ teaspoon more). Transfer the purée to a serving bowl, top with a pat of butter if desired, and sprinkle with chopped chives.
💡 Tips
- If your food processor is small, work in batches to avoid overfilling.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- This purée can be made a day ahead and reheated gently on the stove.
Inspired by a recipe from Once Upon a Chef