Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower

Cruciferous vegetables are among the most nourishing foods you can put on your plate, and roasting is what makes people fall for them, often for the first time. A hot oven turns broccoli and cauliflower sweet and golden at the edges, and a little garlic and lemon is all the seasoning they need. This is a meal-prep staple precisely because it is simple, and simple is what gets repeated week after week.

What you are eating here is dense nutrition. Broccoli and cauliflower are a gentle source of vitamin C, involved in immune function and the everyday repair work your tissues do, and they carry fiber that helps feed a healthier gut community. With strong-flavored vegetables, restraint serves you better than complexity, so trust the short ingredient list.

When the tray comes out, let yourself notice the browned florets and the smell of roasted garlic. Squeeze the lemon over while everything is still hot. Take a breath before the first bite, and eat in a settled state rather than standing at the counter. The way you come to the table is part of how the food serves you.

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Every ingredient is elimination-friendly, with nothing to swap. The source notes that if you are managing interstitial cystitis, you can leave out the lemon juice; otherwise it brightens the dish nicely.

Method

• Heat the oven to 375F.
• Toss the broccoli and cauliflower florets in a bowl with the coconut oil, garlic, lemon juice, and salt until evenly coated.
• Spread the florets in a single layer on a sheet pan and roast for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once, until lightly browned at the edges.

Air fryer variation

The air fryer crisps florets beautifully. Cook at around 375F, with the basket not too crowded, shaking once partway through, and check at around 12 to 16 minutes for browned, tender florets. This time is an untested conversion, so watch the first batch and adjust in your own kitchen.

*Adapted from acleanplate.com*