Food isn't complicated. People make it complicated.

Broccoli is delicious, all on its own. It's a little sweet, with a great texture and a bright vibrant greenness that just screams "I'M A VEGETABLE!!!". There are so many recipes that are mixes and blends of a wide variety of vegetables, commonly known as "medleys". Some have fruits and nuts mixed with, with heaps of spices and herbs.

Properly cooked broccoli, with a little salt and fresh butter can be a WONDEFUL side dish to just about any meal! Yes, you can add a million things to this, but ... that kills the point. Yes, a little garlic and lemon zest would be delightful. Yes, some toasted pecans, orange zest and a few chopped dried cranberries might be interesting. Broccoli smothered in Goopy Alfredo sauce sounds inviting. Bacon, a whisper of mustard, a sprinkle of rosemary and some roasted mushrooms also sound great, but ...

... sometimes the broccoli wants to be the star.

Note: I'm a big fan of broccoli stems. When you cut the florets off of the large broccoli trunk, you're left with something that looks like what the Jolly Green Giant might use for lumber, if he were a very very small giant. Cut off the bigger branches, then with a vegetable peeler, peel the hard fibrous skin on the outside. You'll eventually get a a beautiful, bright, almost white green core. This is the "broccoli heart" and it's delicious! Cut the center core into pieces about the same size as the florets and cook it right along with them. Enjoy!