Broccoli can be used to make different dishes

Tag : broccoli

Despite unfavorable reviews from one former U.S. president,broccoli remains tremendously popular.
That's good news, since the flavorful vegetable is packed withnutrients and provides significant amounts of vitamins A and C.
Sulforphane, the nutrient that gives broccoli its characteristic(and sometimes unpopular) odor, has been shown to fight disease aswell as promote good stomach health.
Broccoli is available year round, but is at its best late summerthrough early winter. Look for bunches that are dark green withtightly closed florets. Avoid broccoli that is limp, yellowing orhas a strong, cabbagy smell.
It is best to use fresh broccoli when the vegetable plays astarring role in a dish. But in a pinch, frozen is just asnutritious.
To prepare broccoli, rinse it thoroughly and separate the stalksfrom the florets. The stalks are edible and tasty, just use avegetable peeler or sharp paring knife to remove the tough outerskin.
For even cooking, always cut the florets into consistently sizedpieces.
Because the tougher stalks take longer to cook, it is best to cutthem into even smaller pieces.
Broccoli can be cooked several ways. To steam, put the broccoli ina steamer basket set over a large saucepan filled with about aninch of water. Cover and steam until tender, about 3 to 6 minutes.
To microwave, put about 4 cups of stalks and florets in amicrowave-safe bowl. Add a few tablespoons of water, then cover andmicrowave on high for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is justtender.
Roasting concentrates the flavors in an unexpectedly delightfulway. Toss the broccoli in a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oiland roast at 450 degrees until tender and the bottoms are wellbrowned, about 10 to 12 minutes.
This pasta in broccoli and pine nut sauce is richly flavored, yethealthy.
The broccoli stalks are pureed with garlic and pine nuts to createa pestolike sauce, which then is tossed with the florets, pasta andfresh basil.
If you like, you can top each serving with a sprinkling of gratedparmesan cheese.