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Epicurious

Grilled Broccoli With Avocado and Sesame

A salad of grilled broccoli and red onions with avocado sesame seeds and cilantro.
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li

Broccoli can take more heat on the grill than you might think; it won’t taste burnt unless you actually set it on fire.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

Pickled Jalapeños

½ cup white balsamic vinegar or unseasoned rice vinegar
¼ cup dry white wine or water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
3 jalapeños, halved lengthwise, seeded

Broccoli and Dressing

1 avocado, halved
1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
¼ cup tahini
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
7 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
⅓ cup cilantro leaves with tender stems, plus more for serving
8 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 pound broccoli (about 2 medium heads), stems peeled, heads halved lengthwise
1 medium red onion, sliced into ½-inch rings
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Preparation

  1. Pickled Jalapeños

    Step 1

    Bring vinegar, wine, sugar, and salt to a simmer over medium-high heat in a small saucepan. Place jalapeños in a small bowl or jar and pour brine over. Let sit until cool, or at least 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Do Ahead: Pickled jalapeños can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.

  2. Broccoli and Dressing

    Step 3

    Prepare a grill for medium, direct heat. Purée one avocado half, garlic, tahini, lemon zest, 5 Tbsp. lemon juice, ⅓ cup cilantro, 4 Tbsp. oil, and 2 Tbsp. water in a blender, adding a splash of water if needed, until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

    Step 4

    Toss broccoli and onion with 2 Tbsp. oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until broccoli crowns are dark brown in places and stems are crisp-tender, 5–7 minutes. Let cool slightly.

    Step 5

    Coarsely chop broccoli and onion. Toss in a medium bowl with remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon juice and 2 Tbsp. oil; season with salt and pepper.

    Step 6

    Spread tahini dressing on a serving platter and top with broccoli mixture. Drain some of the pickled jalapeños (you will have extra). Top broccoli mixture with remaining chopped half of avocado, sesame seeds, drained jalapeños, and more cilantro.

TagsBroccoli/BroccoliniVegetableAvocadoJalapeñoChileTahiniEasyMainSideDairy FreeVeganVegetarianGluten FreeKetoHealthyishGrillingDinnerBon Appétit
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