How to Cook Broccoli

Broccoli, (meaning 'cabbage sprout' from Broccolo in Italian) was first cultivated in Italy. It belongs to the cabbage family and closely resembles the cauliflower. Broccoli is highly rich in vitamins and minerals and has a crunchy feel. It is a dinner-time favorite and can also be used in salads. Consuming broccoli is known to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Easy Ways to Cook Broccoli

Before cooking broccoli, wash it in cold water, preferably under the tap. Avoid soaking it, as it may lead to loss of essential nutrients. Cut the leaves attached to the stem and trim the stalk in such a way that it remains up to 1½ inches below the floret. The stalk can be cut in cubes or julienned. Cut the floret in half, to make smaller pieces.

• Steam the florets, devoid of the stem in a steamer for about 5 minutes.
• You can even boil broccoli in salted water, till it becomes crispy.
• Stir-frying is another option to cook broccoli. You can stir-fry the broccoli florets with black bean sauce or ginger garlic paste for about 5 minutes to enhance its taste.
• In a microwave, cook the broccoli with little water at 150 °C for about 10 minutes
• Sauteing is an easy method when you want to cook broccoli. When you saute broccoli with olive oil, red pepper flakes and garlic for about 5 minutes, the individual flavors of the ingredients will be enhanced.

Cooking Broccoli in the Oven

Baking broccoli in the oven will retain its crunchy taste and enhance its natural flavor. Baking also retains broccoli's nutrients. Here are a few mouth-watering broccoli recipes.

Roasted Broccoli with Cheese
Roasting broccoli makes it more crunchier and enjoyable to eat. Here is a recipe for roasted broccoli served with cheese.
Ingredients

• 15 oz. broccoli, cut into pieces
• ½ teaspoon oregano (optional)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon garlic paste
• Salt to taste

Preparation
Take a small bowl and mix the olive oil, garlic paste, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt and pepper. Transfer the cut broccoli into a big bowl and pour the oil mixture on top. Bake this broccoli-oil mixture in the oven that is preheated at 200 °C, for 15-20 minutes or till it caramelizes. Remove it from the oven and when it is hot garnish it with grated cheese so that the cheese melts.

Broccoli Lasagna
Italians prefer adding pasta in all their recipes, be it veggie or meat. Here is a simple Italian recipe of broccoli with lasagna.
Ingredients

• 10 oz. frozen broccoli, chopped
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 eggs
• 15 oz. ricotta cheese
• Cream of broccoli soup, 2 cans
• 3 thinly sliced carrots
• 8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 packet lasagna noodles
• ¼ cup salad oil
• ¾ pound sliced mushrooms
• Salt to taste

Preparation
In a saucepan, cook the broccoli soup and frozen broccoli till the broccoli is thawed. In another skillet, add salad oil, onion and carrot, cook till the onion turns golden brown. Reduce the flame and add ¼ cup water and stir. Cover the pan and cook till the vegetables are tender. Remove the carrot mixture in a separate bowl and cook salad oil with mushrooms in the same skillet till the mushrooms turn brown. Transfer the carrot mixture to the skillet and cook till it has thickened to a paste. Bring water to a boil and cook the lasagna, with a pinch of salt, till it is firm. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and mix the ricotta and mozzarella cheese. Take a greased baking dish, spread broccoli sauce and transfer half of the cooked noodles on top. Layer the noodles with cheese mixture, carrot mixture and the remaining sauce. Now complete the layer with the remaining noodles and cheese mixture, bake it in a preheated oven at 375 °C for about 20 minutes.

Cooking broccoli is easy and hassle-free. Children are usually fussy about eating broccoli. To make them eat it, you can experiment with various recipes for cooking broccoli and enjoy this healthy and nutritious veggie with your family.