Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in various dishes. Its mild flavor and numerous health benefits make it a popular choice among health-conscious individuals. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to prepare broccoli as a delectable side dish, you've come to the right place. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the finest broccoli heads, preparing them for cooking, and choosing the most suitable cooking method to create a flavorful and nutritious side dish that will complement your main course perfectly. Whether you prefer steaming, sautéing, roasting, or stir-frying, you'll find a recipe here that suits your taste and cooking preferences.
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CATHY'S QUICK STIR-FRIED BROCCOLI SLAW SIDE DISH
My husband and I were hosting a small backyard get together, and were getting ready to take everything out to the deck to eat, when I realized we didn't really have much of a vegetable to serve. I opened the fridge and saw a bag of broccoli slaw and just threw this together. It was a hit! Our neighbor begged me for the recipe, so I decided I'd better post it before I forget what I did! Measurements of oil, garlic, and soy sauce are approximate. This is a simple, fresh side dish with a nutty-garlic flavor. Adjust to your personal preferences. I've never cooked with sesame seeds, but I'd be curious to see how they would work in this dish, in place of the pine nuts. Prep time is for toasting pine nuts, but this can easily be done while stirfrying the broccoli slaw as well. (In a separate pan, of course!)
Provided by SrtaMaestra
Categories < 15 Mins
Time 15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat sesame oil in large skillet or wok.
- Add garlic. Sautee garlic slightly, infusing oil with garlic flavor. Monitor heat carefully to avoid burning.
- Add broccoli coleslaw, and stir fry until crisp-tender. (I cheated and put the cover on my skillet for a little while to speed things along with a little steam).
- Add soy sauce and splenda, and continue to cook until splenda is disolved and liquid is absorbed. Taste test, and determine whether or not you'd like to add more splenda, soy sauce, or salt and pepper. Adjust seasonings accordingly.
- Place in serving bowl, and top with toasted pine nuts. Toss slightly, but no so much that pine nuts drop all the way to the bottom of the bowl.
- Note: To toast pine nuts, I placed them in a heavy pan, over medium-low heat, and tossed and shook the pan to keep them moving, until they started to show some browning and until they started to smell toasted and more intense.
QUICK BROCCOLI SIDE DISH
Italian seasoning and crunchy pine nuts really jazz up the flavor of this versatile veggie side dish. Healthy Cooking Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute broccoli in oil for 5 minutes. Add garlic; saute 2 minutes longer or until broccoli is crisp-tender. Add the sherry, pimientos, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; cook and stir until heated through. Sprinkle with pine nuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 58 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 113mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
Tips:
- Choose fresh, vibrant broccoli: Look for broccoli crowns that are deep green in color and have tightly closed florets. Avoid any broccoli that has yellowing or wilted florets.
- Cut the broccoli into uniform florets: This will help them cook evenly. If you are using a large head of broccoli, you may need to cut it into multiple pieces.
- Blanch the broccoli before stir-frying: This will help to preserve its color and crunch. To blanch the broccoli, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until they are bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately remove the broccoli from the boiling water and place it in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Use a well-seasoned wok or skillet: This will help to prevent the broccoli from sticking. If you don't have a wok or skillet, you can use a large saucepan.
- Heat the oil over high heat: This will help to sear the broccoli and give it a nice charred flavor.
- Stir-fry the broccoli quickly: Don't overcrowd the wok or skillet, or the broccoli will steam instead of stir-fry. Cook the broccoli for 3-4 minutes, or until it is tender-crisp and slightly browned.
- Add a sauce or seasoning of your choice: You can add a variety of sauces or seasonings to your stir-fried broccoli, such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic sauce, or black pepper. You can also add other vegetables, such as carrots, bell peppers, or onions.
Conclusion:
Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in many different ways. Stir-frying is a quick and easy way to cook broccoli, and it results in a delicious and healthy dish. Whether you are serving it as a side dish or a main course, stir-fried broccoli is sure to please everyone at your table.
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