How to get your kids to eat broccoli?

It is very versatile and easy to incorporate. Consider serving broccoli raw as a part of a veggie tray for a snack . Broccoli also goes great with different sauces and dips. As a side dish, broccoli can also be steamed, stir-fried, roasted or boiled.

Which cooking method is best for broccoli?

The easiest way to cook broccoli is to blanch it . Blanching is a process in which the broccoli is submerged in boiling water for only a few minutes, then transferred into an ice bath to keep it from overcooking and turning mushy. The broccoli florets will turn a vibrant shade of green and maintain a much-needed crunch.

How to season broccoli so kids will eat it?

Olive oil: I use extra-virgin olive oil in my cooking and that is used to coat the broccoli to help it roast into tender pieces that don't dry out. Optional flavorings: You can add extra flavor to the broccoli with a sprinkle of salt, cheese, lemon juice, and/or sesame seeds . You may enjoy black pepper, too.

What are 3 ways you can eat broccoli?

Broccoli has a fantastic nutritional profile that offers plenty of potential health benefits. It's rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants ( 1 ). Broccoli can be prepared in numerous ways, including sautéed, steamed, boiled, or roasted , but it can also be served raw in salads or with dips.

What does baby broccoli taste like?

Broccolini® baby broccoli is a delicious cross between Chinese kale and broccoli which gives you the floret of the broccoli and the stem of the kale. It is 100% edible, with a sweet, earthy taste and tender stem.

How do you eat broccoli without tasting it?

There are plenty of other lovely healthy vegetables you could choose instead. But anyway, if you are determined to eat it, try mixing steamed or par boiled broccoli (cut up small or mashed) with mashed potato, and add seasoning, butter, and if you wish, some spices and garlic .

Can dogs eat broccoli?

Yes, dogs can eat broccoli . Dogs can eat the vegetable both cooked and raw, as long as there are no seasonings or oils added. However, this vegetable should always be given in very small quantities, especially because the florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause gastric irritation in dogs.

Can broccoli taste sweet?

Different broccoli cultivars diverge in external and internal sensory attributes. Among the factors that influence consumer preferences there are visual aspects (color), taste (bitter and sweet ), and flavor aspects.

What's the healthiest way to cook broccoli?

Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds. When you want cooked broccoli, steaming or very brief microwaving are excellent choices.

How do you encourage broccoli to head?

Ensure that the plants are receiving adequate water and nutrients . Broccoli doesn't usually require additional fertilizer, but if the plants look sickly, hit them with some nitrogen such as fish emulsion. Time your plantings properly since extreme heat or cold has a bearing on whether or not the plant heads.

5 Ways to Cook Broccoli that Tastes So Good Your Kids Will Even Eat It (2024)

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What To Make With
Broccoli

Emma Christensen

Emma is a former editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer. Check out her website for more cooking stories

updated Nov 9, 2023

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Allow me to present the humble broccoli — beloved sautéed side dish with lemon and olive oil, faithful team player to quick stir-fries, virtuous add-in to any number of cheesy pasta dishes. Broccoli is the vegetable we reach for when we need a little something extra to round out a meal.

How to Cook Fresh Broccoli

Though there are infinite ways to prepare fresh broccoli, the most basic (and best) methods are to blanch, steam in the microwave, steam on the stovetop, sauté, and roast broccoli.

The key to evenly cooked and tasty broccoli is to cut it correctly: Trim the stem of the broccoli as close as you can get to the crown (the top piece) and separate into bite-sized florets.

Buying the Best Broccoli

When buying broccoli, choose vegetables that have a uniform green color with no major brown or yellowing spots. The broccoli stem should feel firm and the crown should be tight and springy; soft stems or limp florets are a sign of old broccoli. Store broccoli in the crisper drawer in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Broccoli should keep fairly well for at least a week.

Ways to Prepare Broccoli

Broccoli can be eaten raw, but blanching it quickly in boiling water helps give it a more crisp-tender texture and bring out its flavor. Broccoli can also be steamed, sautéed, and roasted. You could even throw long spears on the grill!

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How To Cook Broccoli, 5 Ways

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

1 or more heads
broccoli

Equipment

Pairing knife
Equipment for cooking

Instructions

Show Images

Prep the Broccoli

Trim off the florets: Slice crosswise 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 crosswise 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)

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How To

Ingredient

Roasting

Side Dish

stovetop

Vegetables