Broccoli is not only high in vitamin C, folic acid and fiber, it is also very easy to cook and makes any meal particularly nutritious. You can prepare them steamed, sautéed, roasted or seared: in any case, they will be delicious to be enjoyed alone or together with meat and other vegetables. If you want to learn how to cook broccoli, follow these simple steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Steam the Fresh Broccoli
Step 1. Clean the broccoli
If you bought them from the greengrocer or supermarket, you need to rinse them well. If you grew them in your garden or bought them at the market, soak them in salted water for 10 minutes, then rinse them well.
Freshly picked fresh broccoli may contain a fairly common parasite, the earthworm Trichoplusia ni, which is about 2.5 centimeters long. While harmless, it can be quite disgusting and will make you lose your appetite. Worms die in salt water, so you may find some of these dead earthworms on the surface of the water. Eliminate them and start making broccoli
Step 2. Cut the main stem
It is the thickest part of broccoli. Although completely edible, the last part of the stem is usually very hard and not very tasty. Choose whether to eat the stem as well or remove a part of it.
Step 3. Cut the florets
Cut the stem of each floret until you have divided the plant into smaller bunches that are easier to cook. If you don't like the stem, you can cut it off completely starting at the crown. Alternatively, leave the stems of the florets intact by cutting them closer to the main stem.
Step 4. Place the steamer basket in a pot and fill it with 5cm of water
Turn on the stove over medium-high heat and cover the pot with the lid to bring the water to a boil.
Step 5. Place the florets on the basket
Remove the lid, put the broccoli in the pot and close.
Step 6. Steam the broccoli for 3-5 minutes
Cooking time can vary depending on the type of broccoli and the size of the florets.
Step 7. Remove the pot from the heat
Lift the lid immediately, otherwise the broccoli will continue to cook, becoming mushy in no time.
Step 8. Serve them
You can accompany them with a sauce or dressing of your choice. Alternatively, you can use them as an ingredient for another recipe.
Method 2 of 5: Cooking Frozen Broccoli
Step 1. Open the broccoli bag
Cut or tear off the top to take out the florets. It is better to cut the envelope with scissors.
Step 2. Cook the broccoli on the stove
Put the desired portion in a pot along with 5-7 cm of water. Let it cook over medium heat, when the water starts to boil, immediately remove the pot from the heat.
If you plan to microwave them, cook them for 1 to 3 minutes, depending on the power of the oven and the amount of broccoli. You have to cook them al dente. If they still look frozen, let them cook for another 30 seconds. Repeat until cooked, then take them out of the oven and place them on a plate covered with 2.5cm of water
Step 3. Drain the broccoli and serve it
After draining them, you can serve them as they are or with some seasoning. If you prefer, you can use them as an ingredient for another recipe.
Method 3 of 5: Sauteed Broccoli
Step 1. Make sure the broccoli is as dry as possible
Wash them for some time before cooking them. If you bought them pre-packaged at the grocery store, you don't have to wash them again.
Step 2. Separate the florets from the stem
The stem is edible: choose whether to leave it or cut it, according to your preferences. If you leave the leaves, make sure they are clean.
Step 3. Put two tablespoons of olive oil in a pan
Turn on the stove over medium-high heat and let the oil heat for at least 30 seconds.
Step 4. Skip the florets
Put them in the pot with the oil and a pinch of salt.
Step 5. Flip the broccoli so that the oil covers it completely
Step 6. Add the stems a minute later
They generally take less time to cook than florets, so add them later. The cooking time may vary according to the thickness.
Step 7. Stir in the broccoli; when they turn green and tender they are ready
Step 8. Serve them
You can serve them with other sauteed vegetables or on their own.
Method 4 of 5: Roasted Broccoli
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 220 ° C
Step 2. Make sure the broccoli is as dry as possible
If they are a little moist, they may be a little mushy at the end of cooking.
Step 3. Cut the broccoli into florets
Separate the buds from the stems. The latter are completely edible, so you can consume them but you need to make sure they are clean. Remove the last few inches of the stems, which are usually a little hard and less tasty.
Step 4. Season the broccoli with 3 teaspoons of olive oil and half a teaspoon of salt
Step 5. Place the broccoli on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Do not overlap them, they must form a single layer.
Step 6. Bake them in the oven for 20-25 minutes
They must be roasted, becoming crunchy and caramelized.
Step 7. Serve them
Serve the broccoli roasted without any seasoning or with a squeeze of lemon.
Method 5 of 5: Blanched Broccoli
Step 1. Cut the broccoli into florets
Separate the buds from the stems. The latter are completely edible, so you can consume them but you need to make sure they are clean. Remove the last few inches of the stems, which are usually a little hard and less tasty.
Step 2. Prepare a bowl full of ice water and place it near the stove
Step 3. Put some water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil
It must boil briskly.
Step 4. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the water
Step 5. Soak the broccoli in salted water
Let them cook until they are crisp, but not too tender. They need to cook for about 1 minute or 1 1/2 minutes.
Step 6. Drain the broccoli with a slotted spoon
Step 7. Immediately dip them in ice water to stop cooking
Step 8. Wait for the water to boil briskly again, then cook the stems as well
They must be crunchy but not too tender. Let them cook for about a minute or a minute and a half. If you prefer overcooked vegetables, you can let them cook for another 30 seconds. Then, immediately dip them into ice water.
Step 9. Serve the blanched broccoli with other vegetables or in a cold salad
Alternatively, use them to make an omelette or other recipe.
wikiHow Video: How To Cook Broccoli
Look
