Broccoli is not only rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, folic acid, and fiber, but it is also easy to cook and can be a nutritious addition to any meal. Whether you enjoy steaming, sautéing, grilling, or blanching your broccoli, broccoli is a delicious vegetable that tastes great on its own or mixed with other ingredients such as a variety of meats or other vegetables. If you want to know how to cook broccoli, then just follow these steps.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Steaming Fresh Broccoli
Step 1. Clean the broccoli
If you bought broccoli at the store, just wash or rinse it thoroughly. But if you grow broccoli yourself or buy it at the market, soak the broccoli in salted water for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Broccoli fresh from the garden is susceptible to caterpillars, which are common garden pests. When still in larval form, the green cabbage caterpillar resembles a caterpillar about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. Although these caterpillars are harmless, they can kill your appetite immediately if you see them. These caterpillars will die in salt water. The cabbage caterpillar will float to the surface of the water so you can pick it up and throw it away
Step 2. Remove the main stem of the broccoli
This stem is the largest part of broccoli. The broccoli stalks are edible, but the last few inches or so will be a little tougher and taste bad. You can eat the stems, or remove some of them.
Step 3. Cut the broccoli florets
Cut individual broccoli florets from their stems, or a bunch of florets at a time, until you have chopped all the florets into small, easy-to-handle pieces. If you're not a fan of the stalk, cut it just below the broccoli crown. If you want to get more out of your broccoli, cut it further down near the main stem of the broccoli.
Step 4. Place the steamer in the pan
Fill a saucepan with 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water, insert a strainer or steamer, put a lid on the pot, and place the pot on the stove over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil.
Step 5. Place the broccoli in the steamer
Open the lid, place the broccoli on top of the steamer, and put the lid back on.
Step 6. Steam the broccoli
Let the broccoli steam for 3-5 minutes, depending on how much broccoli you steamed.
Step 7. Remove from stove
Remove the pot from the stove, and open the lid immediately. Otherwise, the broccoli will continue to cook and will quickly become mushy and soggy.
Step 8. Serve
You can serve broccoli unsalted, or with sauces or condiments, or you can add it to other dishes.
Method 2 of 5: Cooking Frozen Broccoli
Step 1. Unpack the broccoli
Only cut or tear the top of the broccoli wrap to remove the filling. It may be easier to cut it with scissors.
Step 2. Cook broccoli on the stove
Put the broccoli that you want to cook in a pot of water with a height of 5.1 - 7.6 cm of water. Heat the water over medium heat just until the water starts to boil. After that immediately remove the pan from the stove.
If you are cooking in the microwave, place it in a microwave-safe lidded container with 2.5 cm of water. Cook for 1-3 minutes, depending on the power of the microwave and the amount of broccoli cooked. Broccoli should be cooked al dente (soft but still firm in texture). If it's still partially frozen, cook longer in 30-second increments until the broccoli is cooked through, then remove it from the microwave
Step 3. Drain and serve
Once you've drained the broccoli, you can serve it plain or with seasonings, or use it in other recipes.
Method 3 of 5: Saute Broccoli
Step 1. Make sure the broccoli is as dry as possible
You must have washed them first and drained them or dried them with paper towels. If your broccoli comes pre-packaged from the store, then you don't need to wash it again.
Step 2. Separate the broccoli florets from the stems
Cut the florets, the thick part of the broccoli, to separate them from the stems. The stems are edible, so only a few leaves are still attached and make sure you've removed any dirt on this part as well.
Step 3. Fill a skillet with 2 tsp vegetable oil and cook over medium-high heat
Cook for at least 30 seconds so the oil starts to heat up.
Step 4. Put the broccoli florets in a frying pan with oil
Also add a little salt.
Step 5. Shake the broccoli in the skillet
This will coat it with oil.
Step 6. Add the rods a minute later
The stems will cook a little faster, so you'll need to add a few more hoses later.
Step 7. Stir the broccoli until it is green and soft
That means the broccoli is ripe.
Step 8. Serve
Serve broccoli alone or with other stir-fried vegetables.
Method 4 of 5: Baking Broccoli
Step 1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C)
Step 2. Make sure the broccoli is as dry as possible
If the broccoli is wet then the result will be a little wet.
Step 3. Separate the broccoli florets from the stems
Cut the florets, the thick part of the broccoli, to separate them from the stems. The stems are edible, so only a few leaves are still attached and make sure you've removed any dirt on this part as well. You can cut a few inches off the ends of the stems which are a little tougher and less palatable.
Step 4. Toss the broccoli with 3 teaspoons of olive oil and half a teaspoon of salt
Step 5. Place broccoli on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet
Place on the baking sheet in a single layer (do not overlap).
Step 6. Bake for 20-25 minutes
Bake broccoli until crispy and caramelizes around the edges.
Step 7. Serve
Serve these grilled vegetables on their own or by sprinkling them with lemon juice.
Method 5 of 5: Blanching Broccoli
Step 1. Separate the broccoli florets from the stems
Cut the florets, the thick part of the broccoli, to separate them from the stems. The stems are edible, so only a few leaves are still attached and make sure you've removed any dirt on this part as well. You can cut a few inches off the ends of the stems which are a little tougher and less palatable.
Step 2. Place a bowl of ice water next to the stove
Step 3. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan
Make sure the water is really boiling.
Step 4. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the water in a saucepan
Step 5. Add broccoli
Blanch or briefly boil broccoli until soft but still crunchy, which is about 1 - 1.5 minutes.
Step 6. Remove the broccoli from the pot with a slotted ladle
Step 7. Put it in the ice water that has been provided immediately
Step 8. Wait for the water to boil again
Cook the stems until soft-crisp. It will take another 1 - 1.5 minutes. Cook another 30 seconds if you want the stems to be softer. Place the stems in the iced water when you're done boiling them.
Step 9. Serve
Enjoy blanched broccoli in a vegetable dish, cold salad, frittata, or other casserole dish.
