Broccoli has this reputation of being a not-so-favorite food among people. However, when prepared well, they can definitely be a very tasty dish. And an incredibly healthy one, too! In this article, we will discuss how to cook broccoli, but not just that. When boiled, broccoli actually lose a lot of their nutrients, so we will discuss various ways to cook broccoli, where they still retain their nutritional value, while at the same time taste amazing. We all agree they definitely do not have a nice taste when not cooked and seasoned properly, so we will see how they can be redeemed and gain a great, unforgettable taste.
Part of the cabbage family, broccoli were part of the Mediterranean cuisine from the 6th century BC onwards. The Romans were eating them both raw and cooked, as they were the first ones to discover their nutritional value. Indeed, broccoli has very high amounts of Vitamin K and Vitamin C.
How to Make Broccoli Taste Good?
There are various ways in which you can cook broccoli and they taste awesome. Healthy and tasty food can indeed go together.
First, you can roast fresh broccoli in an oven, together with lemon, garlic, and Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano if you are a fan of the saltier cheeses). You can have this combination as an entire meal, or as a side dish to roasted chicken. When you are cooking broccoli on high heat, like in the oven, their outside layer caramelizes. This makes them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, giving them a unique texture. Additionally, the salt from the cheese, the sourness from the lemon, and the nuttiness from the broccoli themselves and the roasted garlic is an incredible combination!
You can also roast fresh broccoli with butter and spices. The butter will bring the saltiness and the tenderness in the broccoli, and the spices will give this blend an unique taste. The recipe is simple: melt butter and add the spices in it. Then spread the mixture over the broccoli and put them in the oven.
How to Cook Broccoli in a Steamer Basket
Steamer baskets are a great way to prepare broccoli! It is a very simple and very inexpensive addition to your kitchen – plus, it will not take a lot of your precious kitchen space. Additionally, cooking broccoli in a steamer basket does not take more than 7 minutes.
To start, add the steamer basket in a cooker and put water to boil, just so it touches slightly the bottom of the steamer basket. As soon as the water starts boiling, add the broccoli. How to know they are done? They should become tender, and their color should change from fresh green to darker, olive-like green.
You can also test them during the cooking, in order to make sure that your broccoli are well done.
How to Saute Broccoli
Sauteing broccoli is rather easy and fast as well! This is definitely the benefit of broccoli – they are cooked in minutes! This dish can be a great side dish for steak or chicken, or it can be a great appetizer.
To start, cut the broccoli into little florets. The smaller the pieces, the better seasoned they will be, and the more crunchy they will be, too. Add the broccoli to a pan with some olive oil and cook for 4 minutes max. Then, add water to the pan to cover the broccoli and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or more, depending on the size of the portion you are preparing.
The broccoli are done when their texture is crisp and tender. This simple dish is full with nutrients, and is also very recommended in many diets, including the keto diet.
Healthiest Way to Cook Broccoli
Let’s discuss how to cook broccoli without losing nutrients. As we have previously mentioned, simply boiling the broccoli can make them lose a large percent of their nutrients.
Simply steaming them, as we explained above, is a great way to cook broccoli fast without them losing any of their richness in Vitamins C and K and minerals.
Another way is to stir-fry the broccoli. Put some olive oil in a wok pan and put it on a medium-high temperature stove. Add some seasonings, such as ginger, garlic powder, soy sauce, or other vegetables, and add the broccoli. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and you’re done! Another way to make tasty broccoli with all the benefits they contain inside!
Another way is to use a microwave. Just cut the broccoli into small pieces, put them in a microwave-safe bowl, put a small cup of water and cover the bowl with a plate or a microwave-safe lid. Set the microwave to 3-4 minutes, and your dish is done!
There are many other ways to prepare broccoli, where they will retain their nutrients. Broccoli are a staple food of many cuisines around the world, so by simple Google search, you will find thousands of recipes from various cuisines, and you can select the best option for your meal.
Conclusion
Not always beloved, but very beneficial, broccoli’s popularity is increasing in recent years, especially with the rise of the low-carb, high-protein diets.
When choosing broccoli in the supermarket or at the green market, make sure they are bright green, and their stalks are strong. This indicates that the broccoli is fresh. The stems that look woody are usually showing that the broccoli is hard and when cooked, it will not be crispy, but rather chewy. If the broccoli florets started going yellow, this means they are going fast towards their expiration date. If they have a significantly noticeable yellow part, they are probably already past their expiration date.
Despite its not-so-great taste when fresh, when they are steamed with some butter, or some lemon, they are a great side dish to many meals. You can also add them into pasta! There are countless ways to cook broccoli and we hope we have helped you by listing several of them.
