Dinner Tonight: Broccoli Rabe with Asian Flavors
My go-to broccoli rabe recipe is really simple. Just boil the broccoli rabe for a few minutes, then saute with some olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. I love how the heat of the chili plays with the slight bitterness of the greens. But the wife, and I'm sure many other people, find broccoli rabe's bitterness a little too much to handle. So I decided to find a recipe that would soften the edges, while still showcasing the vegetable's unique flavor I love so much.
This Cooks Illustrated recipe is certainly a step in a different direction. Though the process of boiling, draining, and sautéing the broccoli rabe is roughly the same as before, the quick sauce thrown in at the end tones down the harsher edges. I still prefer the vegetable slightly unhinged and spare, but this interesting variation is definitely worth a try.
About the author: Nick Kindelsperger is a freelance writer in Chicago. He is the co-founder of The Paupered Chef and spends most of his time playing with the new cooking gadgets he got from his wedding.
Broccoli Rabe with Asian Flavors
- serves 2 to 3 -
Adapted from Cooks Illustrated
Ingredients
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 bunch broccoli rabe
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger.
Procedure
1. Cut the bottom 2 inches off broccoli rabe stems. Roughly chop the leaves into 1-inch pieces. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain in a colander, then dunk in a bowl of ice water. When cool, dry and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar.
3. Pour the oil into large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and ginger and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium-high, and add the chopped broccoli rabe and the soy sauce mixture. Stir well, and cook for about a minute until the broccoli rabe is warmed and the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and serve.
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2 Comments:
Broccoli and yummy don't usually co-exist in most vocabularies but an exception should be made for this recipe. I'd add toasted sesame seeds but it sounds good as is.
Thanks, Nick.
holdthemayo at 7:28PM on 10/31/08
I love broccoli rabe! I make a different Asian version--I make it GOMAE style. It's a sweet sesame paste. Usually it's done with spinach or green beans. The sweet nicely complements the bitter green.
missmakro at 12:33PM on 11/05/08