Broccoli – it’s healthy, tasty, and a filling side dish for almost any kind of entree. And while it’s delicious eating raw, tossed into a pasta salad, it’s also quite good when you cook it up. As a leafy green vegetable, broccoli is high in vitamins – specifically fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A. It’s also not a bad source of calcium, iron, and protein.
How to Cook Broccoli
There are tons of ways to cook broccoli, and whatever method of cooking you prefer (baking, sauteing, frying), broccoli can work well. Like a lot of other vegetables, broccoli doesn’t require a whole lot of prep work. Start by washing broccolo thoroughly. Chop the broccoli strands off at the base. Depending on how you’re planning to cook your broccoli, you may want to leave the broccoli florets longer. If you’re using them as part of a salad or casserole, you might choose to dice them in smaller bits.
How to Steam Broccoli
Steaming broccoli is a great way to enjoy it without losing much of the nutritional content in the process. To steam broccoli, add 1 inch of water into a saucepan with a steamer on top. Bring water to a boil and add broccoli to the steaming dish. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes. Finish with a splash of lemon and salt lightly.
How to Saute Broccoli
Sauteed broccoli is another fave of ours. It’s quick and simple to make, and can perfectly complement a piece of fish or steak. Or, it can work well mixed in with some rice or couscous. To saute, heat 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add in the broccoli florets along with a sprinkle of diced garlic. Use a spatula to move the broccoli and garlic around quickly so that it doesn’t burn. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until broccoli slightly wilts. Take off heat and serve warm with a bit of salt and pepper.
How to Roast Broccoli
A lesser known method of cooking broccoli (possibly because it takes a little more prep and cook time) is to roast broccoli. Roasting broccoli is great – especially if you’ve never tried it before – as it has a great flavor and a delicious crisp to it. To start, preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to dry off broccoli well before roasting using paper towels to soak up any moisture on the florets. Add broccoli florets into a bowl, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, making sure to coat each spear of broccoli well. Add broccoli to a baking tray and put in the oven. Roast for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip broccoli over and roast for an additional 10 minutes.
To really add some umph, before adding to the oven tray, dip each broccoli spears into a mixture of Panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
What’s your favorite way to eat broccoli? Share with us in the comments!
