Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable that’s often disliked due to its bitter taste, but it can be made much more appealing and flavoursome using a simple cooking method
Broccoli might be the bane of mealtimes for fussy tots and picky palates, but what if the problem lies not in the veg itself, but in its cooking method? Health expert and foodie pro Elizabeth Rider claims that boiling could well be broccoli’s biggest enemy, turning it into a tasteless, overcooked mess.
She spells it out: “Sure, it’s super easy. But it often produces soggy, limp florets. And the longer it is cooked submerged in boiling water, the more nutrients it will lose.” Chuck broccoli into a pot of boiling water and watch as it relinquishes all its sugary goodness, nutrients, and any semblance of flavour, leaving you with a texture nothing short of lacklustre and a plate lacking in goodness.
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There’s a hero in our midst, though – roasting this green giant breathes new life into its florets, teasing out a natural sweetness and crisping it up to scrumptiously moreish levels, reports Surrey Live.
Elizabeth divulges: “Roasting broccoli is one of my favourite ways to prepare it! It always has so much flavour. And it makes a great side dish and can also be used warm or cold in salads.”
By popping it in the oven or air fryer instead, you’re locking in those precious vitamins and transforming it in taste.
A squeeze of lemon can catapult it to connoisseur status and Elizabeth suggests giving it a go: “Jazz up your roasted broccoli with a squeeze of lemon juice.”
The natural sugars in lemon juice not only tenderise and caramelise broccoli for a superior texture, but they also amplify its flavours, leading to a more lively and invigorating taste.
How to cook broccoli properly to make it tastier and healthier
First off, give your broccoli a good rinse and pat it dry before chopping it into florets. If you’re using an oven, get it preheated to 220C. Next up, line a baking tray and lay out the broccoli on it. Make sure the florets are spread out in a single layer without cramming the tray.
Drizzle a tablespoon of extra virgin oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice over the broccoli, then season with salt and pepper. For an extra flavour kick, consider adding some garlic or powdered garlic granules.
If you’re using an oven, roast the broccoli for 20 to 25 minutes until it reaches a crunchy texture. Alternatively, if you’re using an air fryer, cook at 200C for 10 to 12 minutes.
Once the broccoli is cooked, you’ll be left with a far more enticing side dish.