Broccoli bits with cheddar & dates from I Dream of Dinner (So You Don't Have To): Low-Effort, High-Reward Recipes (page 221) by Ali Slagle

Ingredients

broccoli
dates
Show all ingredients...
Serves : 4
EYB Comments

See recipe for variations. Can substitute roasted almonds for smoked almonds.

Where’s the full recipe - why can I only see the ingredients?

Always check the publication for a full list of ingredients. An Eat Your Books index lists the main ingredients and does not include 'store-cupboard ingredients' (salt, pepper, oil, flour, etc.) - unless called for in significant quantity.

Notes about this recipe

Eat Your Books

See recipe for variations. Can substitute roasted almonds for smoked almonds.
Pandan on January 04, 2026

I wanted to like this but I wouldn’t make this again. Sounded delicious on paper but it was way too sweet for me. I like dates on their own but not in this. I actually already used less dates than stated but still was picking them out in the finished dish. But I might keep the idea of combining Brokkoli and cheddar cubes.
emilycaj on May 20, 2025

I LOVED this. It is a side dish, though. I'm not sure that cooking the dates did much. They got soft, yes, but eating the salad cold later, it may have been just the same uncooked.
lholtzman on July 25, 2024

This was a delicious side. I liked it better after it sat for 15-30 minutes.
dinnermints on June 28, 2024

Good combination of flavors! What with all of the cheese and nuts, it worked well as a main and was very satisfying. Smoked almonds would have been especially delicious, but, having none, I added some smoked paprika. It did seem to need something else, and so I added 4-6 T chopped preserved lemon (this was for 1.5 recipe). I wasn't about to finely chop three lbs of broccoli to fine bits on a weeknight, so my food processor did much of the work. I would be tempted to try roasting the broccoli in two large pans at 425 next time. Served over pan-fried polenta.
pattyatbryce on May 23, 2024

Great side dish. An aged cheddar makes a difference.
Babycarrot on February 26, 2024

Added chorizo per her suggestion. The directions are a little bit vague in reference to the hot broccoli and cheese so unclear whether to let the broccoli cool off a bit before adding to the cheese/almonds. I subbed Gouda for cheddar and rice vinegar but next time would use apple cider or red wine for the sherry. Glad I made but there probably are better broccoli recipes.
ellwell on February 26, 2024

This was only an average dish. I thought the components would meld into something delicious, but I was a little disappointed. The instructions were not very good. I don’t know if the cheese was supposed to melt? Mine did not. Also I used regular dates, not mejool, to avoid them sticking together in the pan. I don’t think I will repeat this one—there are better recipes of this ilk out there that taste better.
hirsheys on September 26, 2023

This was perfectly fine, but nothing remarkable. No need to make again.
Rinshin on June 28, 2023

Wow, this was unexpectedly delicious. To prevent date bits from sticking, best to cook with olive oil separating pieces until well coated and starting to blister.i used Medjool dates. Loved the use of cheddar bits together with teaspoon sized broccoli bits and dates and simplicity of recipe. Repeat for sure since good broccoli recipes are my husband’s favorites. Used white cheddar. Photo posted
thefritschkitchen on June 21, 2023

Big fan of this recipe - although my young kids did not love it as much as I did. A combination I would have never put together, but am so glad that someone else did.
Jviney on March 22, 2023

This was almost like a main dish. I liked the contrast in flavors but either my dates were too fresh or it just won’t work to chop them up and keep them separate; mine broke down into pasty clumps. I’m glad I tried it, but it’s probably out of my system now and I doubt I’ll make it again.
ldyndiuk on September 11, 2022

I was skeptical about this flavor combination but I do like all of the ingredients so I gave it a try. It wasn’t bad (I ate it all) but I don’t think the flavors melded well. I like that the cheddar is in bits so it stays whole but still gets a little gooey. I’d make it again but leave out the dates.