Broccoli Pesto Braid

Broccoli is the surprise ingredient in this easy pesto braid bread. MORE+ LESS-

By Bev Cooks

May 10, 2017

Ingredients

bag (1 lb) Cascadian Farm™ frozen organic broccoli florets

1/4

cup slivered almonds, toasted

cloves garlic, chopped

1/4

cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1/4

cup extra-virgin olive oil

can (11 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crusty French loaf

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1

Preheat oven to 350°F.Thaw your broccoli florets in some warm water for just a few minutes. Drain and pat dry as best as you can.
2

In a food processor, combine the broccoli, almonds, garlic, cheese, salt and pepper. With the motor running, add the oil in a thin stream, until you get a pesto consistency. Taste and add more salt if needed.
3

Roll the loaf out into a square on a floured surface. Spoon the broccoli pesto down the center of the square.
4

Using a small paring knife, cut little strips in the dough on either side of the pesto. Then go back and cut out every other strip, allowing for the pesto to be seen through the braid.
5

Fold each strip over each other, creating the braid look. Slide onto a lightly greased, rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 25 minutes.
6

Slice and serve!

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Broccoli Pesto Braid. And you thought I only braided my hair. I miss a good French braid. I also miss Electric Youth perfume, Wilson Phillips and blue mascara, but I probably shouldn't have just typed that out. I'll be straight with ya, some days when I'm working in the garden, working out or working for the weekend, I'll throw my hair in a dang french braid and high five myself. Shall we braid some bread then? Because I like braiding bread too. It's just like hair but it's yeast and not split ends. I need to stop talking. Let me just say this, this simple Broccoli Pesto Braid is so festive for St. Patty's day, you're going to become uncontrollably braid happy and go on a massive braiding spree and probably end up sticking 27 shamrocks in your braided hair and life will be filled with such braided glee! I'm already so jealous of you. Let's braid! Then bake, slice and serve! More Broccoli Recipes If you like the taste of broccoli, try some fresh recipes featuring it!