Break the crown up into bite-sized florets. I sliced the crowns very thin and blanched them briefly with the pasta. That's a stark difference from other methods of preparation, which usually aim for an al dente texture. There’s a better option out there! No guessing on any of the recipes. Broccoli florets are the bushy part of the broccoli plant, and they're generally considered the most desirable to eat. Support wikiHow by Cut the florets, the bushy parts of the broccoli, away from the stems. Add broccoli and cover with a lid and boil/steam for 2 minutes. Pour about 1-inch puddle of salted water into a large sauté pan and bring to a boil. If you got your fresh broccoli from a grocery store, all you need to do is give it a thorough rinse. Remove any tough stems … Black pepper, red chilli flakes, rock salt, and turmeric are a few great spices and seasonings which work wonderfully with broccoli. Prep the broccoli crowns and stems . Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta. Choose another answer! Not necessarily! Boil about 2 minutes. Add broccoli to the boiling water and blanch for 30 seconds; transfer to the ice water to shock the broccoli and stop the cooking. Therefore, if you're cooking broccoli and it's still firm, the broccoli is still mostly raw. Boil water in a large saucepan (or do this step in a steamer). "I have always loved broccoli but don't know what other ways I can prepare it other than steaming. Kohlrabi may look like a root vegetable, but it is actually related to cabbage, with a cabbage-like smell and the taste of broccoli stems. Set aside. But roasting broccoli is different, and it results in a unique texture. Great!". ", "I found out that stalks need less cooking. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy skillet. Choose another answer! Use a vegetable peeler to shave stalks into thin ribbons. unlocking this staff-researched answer. Subscribe now for full access. Add garlic and thyme, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until garlic smells fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. What should I do if the florets are turning brownish? Because of the way ovens heat food up, the only way roasted broccoli will end up tender is if it was wet when it went in the oven. Read on for another quiz question. Yes, you can. These should be no more than 10% of the diet (about 1 teaspoon per 2 lbs … Drain the pasta and broccoli and toss with the mushroom and stem mixture, either in a large bowl or right in the pan. Broccoli should be cooked al dente. Slice the stems or cut them into quarters lengthwise. Serve with Parmesan cheese. No one likes eating mushy broccoli. NYT Cooking is a subscription service of The New York Times. Cut the crowns away from the large stems of the broccoli. Whether you are cooking fresh or frozen broccoli, the first thing to remember is don't overcook it. For this pasta I used a vegetable peeler to shred the broccoli stems into thin ribbons, which I cooked briefly with the mushrooms. Does broccoli lose its nutrients if it is microwaved? Did you know you can read answers researched by wikiHow Staff? It is a digital cookbook and cooking guide alike, available on all platforms, that helps home cooks of every level discover, save and organize the world’s best recipes, while also helping them become better, more competent cooks. You need to get your water boiling-hot in order to give frozen broccoli the right consistency. Combine with the little flower buds that fall off onto your cutting surface in a bowl. That soak removes common garden pests called cabbage loopers. However, frozen broccoli cooks fast, so once the water starts to boil, the broccoli will already be ready. Not quite! In general, if you cook broccoli too long, it'll end up soft, which is not considered a desirable temperature. Microwaves just heat polar molecules up. Next, add the broccoli to the steamer basket and cover it. If you want to learn how to saute your broccoli in a pan, keep reading the article! When it goes off, add thinly sliced broccoli crowns and flower buds, and cook 2 minutes more, or until the pasta is al dente. Read on for another quiz question. ", Unlock staff-researched answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-broccoli-167323, http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/2011/08/09/how-to-roast-broccoli/, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Choose another answer! Add the broccoli and milk to the soup and cook until the broccoli is al dente. If you boil frozen broccoli for ten minutes, it will basically be mush when it's done. About 2 hours, plus soaking of the beans and farro. If you like your broccoli to be very soft, you might want to cook it for this long. The worms die in the salt water. This article has been viewed 930,002 times. Try again! Heat the pot over medium-high heat until the water to boil. For this pasta I used a vegetable peeler to shred the broccoli stems into thin ribbons, which I cooked briefly with the mushrooms. If you want to know how to cook broccoli, just follow these steps. Technically, the whole stem of a head of broccoli is edible. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Broccoli stems and flowers can be prepared and cooked separately, like two different vegetables. This makes it a great alternative to cabbage or turnips, plus it is high in vitamins and minerals. That's because grocery-store broccoli is less prone to pests than broccoli that's straight from a garden. Broccoli is not only high in vitamin C, folic acid, and fiber, but it's also easy to cook and a nutritious addition to any meal. Then, let the broccoli cook for 3-5 minutes. It doesn’t have to be peeled, but the peel can be tough so I usually do. Read on for another quiz question. Choose another answer! You’ll just need a few basic ingredients to make it: Butter contributes to the irresistible flavor and silky texture. Approved. If you want to learn how to saute your broccoli in a pan, keep reading the article! That's a good thing in terms of freshness, but you will need to soak it in salt water before you rinse it, to remove any cabbage loopers. Peel the stems with a peeler and cut each stem in half lengthwise, then slice into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons. By using our site, you agree to our. Read on for another quiz question. You can, but it won't taste very good, so I don't recommend it. While you should try to spread your broccoli out, covering the whole skillet isn't important. Continue to sauté until the broccoli stem ribbons are crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Broccoli stems and flowers can be prepared and cooked separately, like two different vegetables. This flavorful soup is made without heavy cream, milk or flour—or even vegetable broth. The bulb kind of tastes like broccoli stems (my favorite part of broccoli!) Guess again! Yes, you can cook broccoli in the microwave by placing it in a bowl and adding about 2 to 3 tablespoons of water per pound. Reduce heat to medium, add salt to taste, another tablespoon of oil, and shaved broccoli stems. Add the cheese to the soup one cup at a time, stirring until melted between additions. Nope! By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Separate the florets from the stems of the broccoli. Believe it or not, you should actually take ten minutes before you rinse your garden-fresh broccoli to soak it in salt water. Guess again! Broccoli Cheese Soup Ingredients. Get recipes, tips and NYT special offers delivered straight to your inbox. However, most of the stem is totally edible and delicious if prepared right, so you're just wasting broccoli if you throw it away. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Peel off the softened leaves. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. ", "I did not know that there were so many ways to cook broccoli. Remove from heat. That said, though, the last inch or so often has a hard, woody texture, so you're better off throwing it away and just blanching the florets and the rest of the stem. When water in the pasta pot comes to a boil, add salt to taste and spaghetti. I sliced the crowns very thin and blanched them briefly with the pasta. But most people prefer broccoli to be al dente, and boiling frozen broccoli for three minutes will make it too soft. Try again! Raw broccoli has a firm texture. Keep in mind that broccoli florets typically take longer to cook than the stems do. Though they're harmless, they can be a real appetite killer. Depending on how much broccoli you're cooking, there may not even be enough to cover the whole skillet, and that's fine. 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