A vitamin E-rich and free-radical scavenging food item such as broccoli can never be a wrong choice for your diet, especially if you are looking to opt for something that’s healthy and appetizing at the same time. Though sometimes these cauliflower-lookalike have to be masked and fed to the little ones, its reputation as one of the healthiest vegetables out there is left untarnished. So if you are looking to switch your diet for one that is healthier, then broccoli would be a safe bet and a wonderful addition to your everyday meal plan.
Sure, broccoli is healthy and a super-food, it doesn’t mean that you’ll have to eat it as it is. In fact, you don’t have to compromise with the taste at all. Before we take a look at how the consumption of this cruciferous vegetable can be made for fun. Let’s first learn how to buy a perfectly healthy bunch of broccoli.
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What Does A Good Broccoli Look Like And Its Storage
While shopping for this exceptionally beneficial green vegetable, make sure that the ones you pick are uniformly green in color, and ignore the ones that have brown or yellow spots on the surface. The other factor is the stem, which should be hard, as a soft stem is a sign of an old vegetable.
As for storing, broccoli should be stored in a cold place and should last for at least a whole week.
Also Read: Amazing Health Benefits Of Broccoli You Should Know
Ways To Add Broccoli Into Your Everyday Diet
Broccoli is an acquired taste for many; it certainly isn’t one of the most universally acceptable vegetables around. However, it does have a positive influence on the nutritional value of our meals. So let’s take a look at some ways in which you can add the goodness of this vegetable into your lifestyle.
1. Steamed Broccoli
Steaming can be done of a stovetop, or in a microwave. Talking about a more traditional way, let’s stick to the cooktop. All you have to do is thoroughly wash the broccoli and place it in the steamer basket. Fill some water in a pot, and while inserting the steamer basket inside the pot you must make sure that the water does not touch the basket. Heat the water and allow it to simmer. Cover the top for 4-5 minutes, and once the broccoli softens, it shall be ready. Steamed broccoli works well as a side vegetable, in salads, and soups. Top with a little olive oil and chopped up, roasted garlic.
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2. Roasted Broccoli
For this, you’ll have to use an oven. Make sure that the broccoli is dry, then apply a few tablespoons of vegetable oil on its surface, sprinkle some salt, and then place it on a baking sheet before tossing it inside the oven. Once the caramelized brown spots start to appear on the surface of the vegetable, it means that it is ready to be served immediately. Roasted broccoli can be used as a side-dish, or in a salad with boiled chicken and pine nuts.
3. Sautéed Broccoli
This is by far one of the most accepted variations of broccoli, for its work with other mixture of flavors and spices creates something that tastes good and is fun to eat. It is usually prepared on a stovetop, and its method of preparation is completely different from the rest. In this method, oil is first heated on a cooktop on medium flame. Then chopped garlic, followed by broccoli florets are added and constantly stirred so that it cooks evenly from all sides. Other herbs and spices can also be added to the mix. Sautéed broccoli can be served as a side-dish, and its seasoned flavor will surely improve the overall taste of your dish along with improving its nutritional content. Some people also like to sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top just before serving.
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Broccoli Based Dishes
There are many ways in which you can improve the quality of your dish by adding broccoli to it, both in taste and in its health aspect. However, now that you have read about the different ways in which you can cook broccoli and assign different flavors to it based on its method of preparation, let’s take a look at few of the popular dishes based on this incredibly healthy vegetable:
1. Broccoli Salad Alongside French Dressing
Broccoli salad is one of the most discussed dishes in the food and health space, and it deserves to be so. Full of cooked veggies, such as broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots, all of which is later topped with a layer of French dressing made from olive oil, this dish is indeed a storehouse for fibers, vitamins, and good-fats.
2. Broccoli Stir Fry
Basically considered to be sautéed broccoli, this simple and quick recipe involves an explosion of flavor that is added during its cooking process. Delicious flavoring ingredients such as garlic and chili make it a fusion of western and eastern cuisine. Add cashew nuts to this to make it better!
3. Baked Broccoli
If you are looking for something indulgent, adding a notable quantity of cheese over a bowl of broccoli before baking it might be the most fun way to enjoy this vegetable, especially for the kids.
Broccoli, cooked in whichever shape and form, will only do good to your health. Just buy a bunch and surprise yourself with your take on the healthy, fiber-rich vegetable. Also, you must keep in mind that broccoli would only be healthy if it is accompanied by other foods of the same nature.