SKILLET BROCCOLI WITH OLIVE OIL AND GARLIC is excerpted from THE SIDE DISH BIBLE © 2019 by America's Test Kitchen. Reproduced by permission of America's Test Kitchen. All rights reserved.

Skillet Broccoli with Olive Oil and Garlic

Serves 4

Why this recipe works: Since broccoli makes for a fast and easy side dish, we turn to it frequently. But the outcome has to be bright green, crisp-tender, and flavorful. For broccoli that was nicely browned on the outside and fully tender within, we borrowed a trick from stir-frying: We got out a skillet to first brown broccoli florets for color and then we quickly steamed them to cook them through. Finally we sautéed the florets with some aromatics for a boost in flavor. We kept it simple and flavored our broccoli with just garlic and thyme to let its natural essence shine. The best thing about this stir-fry method is that we could do all the steps in quick succession in a skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Either a traditional or a nonstick 12‑inch skillet will work for this recipe. Using broccoli florets, rather than a bunch of broccoli, can save valuable prep time for this side dish. If buying broccoli in a bunch instead, you will need about 11/2 pounds of broccoli in order to yield 1 pound of florets.

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
• 1 pound broccoli florets, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 3 tablespoons water

1. Come 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, and thyme in bowl. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. And broccoli and salt and cook, without stirring, until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes.
2. Add water, cover, and cook until broccoli is bright green but still crisp, about 2 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook until water has evaporated and broccoli is crisp-tender, about 2 minutes.
3. Clear center of pan, add garlic mixture, and cook, mashing mixture into skillet, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir garlic mixture into broccoli. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Variation

Skillet Broccoli with Sesame Oil and Ginger

Omit thyme. In garlic mixture, substitute 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil for olive oil and add 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger. Substitute 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for oil when cooking broccoli.