If it comes to nutrition, broccoli can give a tough competition to many vegetables. It is dense with nutritional benefits.
This green, cruciferous veggie is low in calories but a rich source of fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals just like its other siblings such as, cauliflower, cabbage etc.
The best way to preserve its nutritional benefits is to steam or boil the vegetable. It is also consumed raw when used in salads.
In that case, you will be able to get the optimum benefits from this vegetable. Compared to cooked broccoli, raw broccoli boosts up absorption of sulforaphane.
If roasted, stir-fried or microwaved, it may result in loss of vitamin C as well as soluble sugars and proteins.
Toss broccoli with carrots, cabbage leaves, tomato, mushroom, popcorns etc. in a small bowl to make salad.
For extra colours and nutrition, add grapes, strawberries, pomegranate etc. A little bit of salt will make it truly yummy.
If you wish, you can sprinkle black peppercorn. Many Indians are yet to adjust themselves to eating raw vegetables. If you are one of them, boil the veggies and then mix well.
Broccoli bati chorchori has the signature of Bengali-style cooking. It is a delicious and nutrition-packed dish prepared with potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, bell peppers and flavoured with only turmeric powder.
All these vegetables are mixed together in a bowl. Salt, turmeric powder, a little amount of sugar and a few drops of mustard oil are added.
All these are transferred to a pan with water in it. Once everything is properly boiled, the soupy curry is served with wheat bread. You can pair it with paratha or luchi as well.
Broccoli and beetroot sabji is a mildly spicy preparation. The dish is prepared with beetroot, broccoli, onion, galic, gram flour and flavoured with cumin seeds, mustard seeds, curry leaves and garam masala powder.
Broccoli fry is an easy and tasty recipe. Seasoning with dry mango powder lends the dish a unique flavour and lip-smacking taste. No need to deep fry; stir-fry is enough to whip up the crave-worthy dish for your taste buds.
Broccoli paratha is worth a try. Prepare it for breakfast or pack it in your lunch box, the duet with your favourite sweet-tangy pickle will simply rock your palate. It is a winter temptation hard to resist.
Broccoli kathi roll is an Indian innovation. Boiled broccoli smeared with spices and sauces and wrapped in a wheat bread – feel your mouth watering, right?
Broccoli pakora is another gastronomic treat in winter time. Prepared with rice flour, gram flour and flavoured with a handful of spices, it takes just half an hour to complete its journey from pantry to plate.
Broccoli tikki is a healthy and filling snack packed with great flavours. It is easy to make and a cheesy, comforting delight anytime you feel hunger itching.
Broccoli soup is a creamy, nutritious delicacy full of flavours. This easy-to-make soup will keep you full for hours.
What is the Best Way to Cook Broccoli?
It depends on your taste. If you prefer a healthy delight, go for bati chorchori, salads, or soup.
Tikka or paratha, prepared on a few drops of oil, also don’t compromise much with the ‘healthy’ factor.
For a spicy flavour, broccoli curry or kathi roll is a mouth-watering choice.
What is the Best Way to Eat Broccoli?
The best way to eat broccoli is not to cook it at all. Because, broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrition and all the nutritional elements go into you only when it is eaten raw.
If you don’t like its raw taste, boil or steam the veggie. Frying or roasting is not recommended as it will enhance taste but destroy the nutritional benefits.
Is Broccoli Tasty?
There is a remarkable difference in taste between raw broccoli and cooked broccoli.
Raw broccoli gives a vegetal, mildly bitter and mildly sweet flavour with crunchy bites. Cooked broccoli, on other hand, tastes sweeter.
Questions & Answers:
Why is Broccoli Costly?
The gap between demand and supply plays a role in the price spike. The fact that broccoli is thick with nutrients is also a factor contributing to its being expensive.
How to Make Broccoli Taste Good?
It is completely up to you. If you ask me, I will recommend you should add black pepper to soup, garam masala to curry and sauces to broccoli roll. Serve broccoli paratha or pakora with sauce and onion rings.
How Long Does Broccoli Take to Cook?
It depends on what you are cooking. However, it does not take more than half an hour whatever you are preparing with broccoli.
