In Season: Broccoli, and Cooking It Creatively
Photograph by Allison Hemler on Flickr.
The flowery green vegetable we were all required to hate as children (but worship as healthy adults) is entering peak season. Though it's available year round, it should be at its greenest and cheapest beginning this month. Depending on your location, it may be difficult to find locally, as the majority of the crop is grown in California or Arizona.
Raw broccoli is an acquired taste, so when serving as a hors d'oeuvre, slightly blanch for the best flavor. Whether sauteed, steamed, or roasted, it provides a wealth of nutrients including Vitamin C, fiber, and Vitamin K. Watch out for blanching for too long, as the health benefits are severely diminished.
I can think of nothing better than sitting in front of the TV with a bowl of steamed broccoli lightly dressed in lemon juice, recovering from nights of inhaling cold weather batches of macaroni and cheese and creamy potato soup. Below are some unique side and main dish ideas, which utilize a bit more creativity.
Broccoli Recipes:
- Creamy Broccoli Soup with Cheddar Crisps
- Indian Style Broccoli with Spiced Yogurt
- The Silver Palate's Pureed Broccoli with Creme Fraiche
- Classic Broccoli Piemontese [Epicurious]
- Red-Wine Spaghetti with Broccoli [Epicurious]
- Broccoli Pesto with Fusilli Pasta [101 Cookbooks]
- Broccoli Sandwich [Martha Stewart]
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12 Comments:
I'm glad I'm not the only one that likes the simplicity of steamed broccoli - all by itself. It's also good with toasted sesame seeds.
I can't wait for broccoli cheddar soup...It's still too hot to be able to really enjoy soup where I live. :(
holdthemayo at 3:24PM on 09/27/08
steamed then dry stir fried with sesame, soy, siracha, garlic, rice wine and hot chili oil.
yum.
ChelleyD01 at 4:27PM on 09/27/08
My favorite: steamed broccoli, served cold tossed with my mom's homemade italian dressing (lemon juice, olive oil, herbs and salt).
buffy at 7:35PM on 09/27/08
Broccoli is a huge at my house, even with my three meat-and-potatoes male roommates. I like to toss two or three heads' worth (including the stems, peeled and chopped) with a splash of olive oil and a few cloves of minced garlic (and maybe a wee dash of sriracha), and then roast it until it's carmelized. Yum indeed.
impeh at 9:06PM on 09/27/08
I thought I was alone in my love of simple, steamed broccoli. (Well, plus the addition of Sriracha and chili powder. YES both!) I think I've burnt off many of my taste buds...so I like my stuff warm (read: unbearably hot, as described by my normal roommate)
I love those Steam fresh veggies. I've made a meal out of a bag of broccoli and a bag of Brussels sprouts. I am totally addicted to green veggies. :)
sweethunibabi at 11:32PM on 09/27/08
I love broccoli in all of its incarnations - raw, steamed, roasted, etc., but my absolute favorite is cold broccoli salad with bacon, raisins, shredded carrots and a light mayo dressing. Tastes even better the second day.
PerkyMac at 11:47PM on 09/27/08
the best broccoli dish ever is roasted. cook's illustrated has a great recipe that brings out a whole new character in the vegetable.
fleet_eater at 11:52PM on 09/27/08
I kind of only like the stalks...
But my husband kind of only likes the florets, so it works out :)
IbisFlight at 12:26AM on 09/28/08
glad there are more simple broccoli lovers around. I just bought some from the market and it looked greener and smelled better than ever. no more frozen broccoli, at least for a while!
Allison Hemler at 11:10PM on 09/28/08
the "sexy broccoli" from the nytimes earlier this year is quite delicious as well. it's never really cooked, but the toss with vinegar seems to do the job:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/dining/201arex.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=dining&pagewanted=print
anysuchname at 10:44AM on 09/29/08
Broccoli + hollandaise sauce =)
My kids now do at my mom's house what I used to do...eat broccoli with a Kraft single melted over top...
akk328 at 3:03PM on 10/01/08
ok, this recipe has broccoli, but it's not that healthy, but oh so good. Jamie Oliver is my hero. Here's the link: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-at-home/fresh-tagliatelle-with-sprouting-broccoli-and-oozy-cheese-sauce-recipe/index.html
cookingbroke at 9:53AM on 10/06/08