Oven-Roasted Broccolini Kids Will Actually Eat

To make kid-friendly roasted broccolini:

3 bunches of broccolini, 2 tbsp olive oil
Spice Blend: 1/4 cup cashew nuts or hemp seed, 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper

Note: I originally made this seasoning with cashew nuts. When my child started attending a nut-free school, I switched to hemp seed. The flavor is very similar — I slightly prefer cashews, but hemp seed works well and removes the need to grind the mix; you can simply stir the ingredients together.

Nut-free seasoning ingredients:

With Cashew nuts:

a. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). If using cashews, add them to a food processor or high-speed blender with the nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Process until finely ground.

b. Trim about 2 inches from the ends of the broccolini and toss the stems in olive oil until they are evenly coated.

c. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the broccolini in a single layer. Sprinkle the spice blend over the broccolini, turning each piece to coat both sides.

d. Roast for about 20 minutes, checking at 15 minutes. I roast them until they are slightly tender for my child, but reduce the time if you prefer firmer, crisper broccolini.

Serving suggestion: I served these broccolini with rice balls mixed with hard-boiled egg yolks, decorated with egg white cutouts, and sliced apples for a balanced, kid-friendly meal.