So you are cooking that three-course meal for bae, to prove your skills in the kitchen, and you need a vegetable to top it off? Say no more. We got you. Broccoli is the answer (assuming you both like broccoli), and here are 5 was you can make it from TheKitchn.com
What You Need
Ingredients
- 1 or more heads broccoli
- Equipment
- Pairing knife
- Equipment for cooking
Instructions
Prep the Broccoli
- Trim off the florets: Slice straight through the broccoli stem as close to the crown as you can get. The crown should break into several large florets. Cut through the “trunk” of each floret to make bite-sized pieces. Place these in a small bowl and run them under water to wash away any grit.
- Trim and slice the stem: The main stem of the broccoli is entirely edible. Trim off any leaves or blemishes. You can remove the tougher top layer of skin with a peeler if you would like, but it’s not necessary. Slice off the bottom inch of the stem and discard (it’s usually too dry to be very tasty). Slice the remaining stem into disks. Stems take longer than florets to cook, so place all these slices in a separate bowl from the florets. Rinse under water to wash away any grit.
Cooking Method #1: Blanching
- Prepare a bowl of ice water and have it next to the stove. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Add a heaping tablespoon of salt. Add the broccoli florets and cook until crisp-tender, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and plunge immediately in the ice water. Let the water come back to a boil, then cook the stems until they are also crisp-tender, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. If you would like softer vegetables, cook for an additional 30 seconds.
→ Uses for blanched broccoli: Vegetable platters, cold salads, frittatas, and other casseroles.
Cooking Method #2: Steaming in the Microwave
- Place the broccoli florets and stems in a microwave-safe dish and pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of water over top. Cover with a dinner plate and microwave on HIGH for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the lid carefully and check if the broccoli is tender. Microwave in additional 1-minute bursts if necessary.
→ Uses for steamed broccoli: Side dish with olive oil and seasonings, warm salads, frittatas and casseroles, soups.
Cooking Method #3: Steaming on the Stovetop
- Fill a pot with a few inches of water and insert a steamer basket over top. Be sure the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring the water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and stems and cover. Steam for 4 to 5 minutes, until tender.
→ Uses for steamed broccoli: Side dish with olive oil and seasonings, warm salads, frittatas and casseroles, soups.
Cooking Method #4: Sautéing
- Make sure the broccoli is as dry as possible (you can skip rinsing under water if your broccoli seems clean). Film a skillet with oil and set over high to medium-high heat. Add the florets and a big pinch of salt. Toss to coat with oil. Add the stems 1 minute later. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the broccoli is bright green and tender.
→ Uses for sautéed broccoli: Vegetable sautés, side dish with seasonings
Cooking Method #5: Roasting
- Heat the oven to 425°F. Make sure the broccoli is as dry as possible (you can skip rinsing under water if your broccoli seems clean). Toss the broccoli florets and stems with a few teaspoons of oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Spread the broccoli on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until the broccoli is crunchy and you can see deep caramelized brown spots. Serve immediately.
→ Uses for roasted broccoli: Side dish, cold or warm salads, pizza topping (under-roast slightly so the broccoli doesn’t burn on the pizza)
That’s it! Which cooking method did you select, and how did it come out?
Ben el Gentelle’s Cooking for Bae Blog Series is sponsored by EverydayDatenight.com. Post a picture with you, your bae, and the meal, on Instagram with @EverydayDatenight tagged to get a shout-out! You deserve it! Date night helps couples with communication and can even help keep the fire of love burning. To learn more on how you can keep your relationship strong, visit EverydayDatenight.com.
