Broccoli with Lemon

This first recipe is for Whitney: super easy and very good side dish.

Broccoli with Lemon

3 medium sized heads of broccoli, broken down into florets
lemon, juice and zest
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbps parmesan cheese
 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
salt & black pepper
red pepper flake (optional)

Blanche the broccoli in salted, boiling water 2-3 minutes until bright green and then remove to a bowl of ice water to shock (stop the cooking process).  Heat a saute pan over medium heat and add oil.  Let heat until oil is rippling across the pan when moved.  Add the minced garlic and broccoli florets, salt & black pepper to taste and saute 2-3 minutes; add the parmesan cheese and the zest of half the lemon and remove the pan from the heat.  Finish with the juice of half the lemon (roll the lemon before cutting to get it really juicy) and a pinch of red pepper flake or more to taste (if wanted).  Serve and enjoy!