Preparation time: about 20 minutes. Baking time: 30 to 35 minutes. Oven temperature: 350 degrees.

Fresh-cooked broccoli, coated with a nutmeg-flavored white sauce, makes an attractive vegetable dish. You can prepare the entire dish ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight before baking if last-minute time is short.

For 4 servings you will need:

1 1/2 lbs. fresh broccoli
1 1/2 c. water
1 tsp. sugar
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 c. milk
3/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
2 tbsp. butter, melted
2 tbsp. fine dry bread crumbs

Good served with: Baked ham, roast pork, or stuffed turkey.

PREPARATION: Wash and trim broccoli. Place in large saucepan; add water and sugar. Cover. Bring to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp. Drain. While broccoli cooks, melt butter in small saucepan. Add flour and stir until smooth. Add milk and bring to boiling. Cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add salt and nutmeg. Set aside.

Arrange cooked broccoli in oven-proof serving dish. Pour sauce over. Combine melted butter and crumbs. Sprinkle over broccoli. At this point, cover and refrigerate, if desired. Or bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until sauce bubbles around edges, crumbs are lightly browned, and broccoli is heated through.

For 2 servings: Half of the ingredients. For 8 servings: Double the ingredients but use only 3 tablespoons butter and 3 tablespoons bread crumbs.