Home > Table Talk > Archives > 2007 > June > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USthe world’s best broccoli?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The drought is wreaking havoc with Georgia farmers, in obvious ways like crops that die or never get planted, and in less expected ways. I’ve bought some Georgia peaches that are barely bigger than a walnut, something caused by lack of water, although they are sweeter than normal. This week we’re cooking a bunch of broccoli. At our CSA, Cane Creek Farm, the dry weather caused all of the broccoli to mature at once, rather than over several weeks. My favorite way to fix broccoli is to just steam it for four minutes or so, until tender, than sprinkle it with a little salt and some garlic-flavored olive oil. My kids say it’s better than the broccoli at Pig-N-Chik, big praise from them because they love the Pig’s garlicky broccoli. I made a big batch of cream of broccoli soup, a good way to use up all the stalks as well as the crowns, but my pint-sized critics weren’t impressed. If we get any more, I’m thinking broccoli, bacon and raisin salad — everything’s better with bacon. What’s your favorite way to cook broccoli? Any secrets for kid appeal other than cheese sauce?
Comments
By Sue
June 5, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
Broccoli with a little salt and lemon pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes and then squeeze fresh lemon when done.
By Deborah
June 5, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
My favorite broccoli dish is Broccoli Tahini Salad, it has raw broccoli, celery, onion, seasame seeds, sunflower seeds and oregano. Much better for you than cooked broccoli.
By Haha
June 5, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
It’s funny that you mention that everything is made better with bacon! There is this theory that truly believe called the BLKF theory.
The BLKF theory states that all things on earth, from Congress to Movies, to Books to (most importantly) food can be improved by one (or more) of the following three things: Bacon, Lesbians, and Kung Fu.
I know it’s off topic but you just made me think about it.
By JoAnne
June 5, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
I love to steam a whole stalk or head of broccoli then drizzle on a little melted butter. I’m just personally not too keen on garlic but it does sound delicious with olive oil as some of you describe above. It’s just so good, have no idea why, but the whole time I’m eating it I’m making happy little mmmmm sounds.
By recipe anyone?
June 5, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Yum, broccoli/bacon/raisin salad, I think it also has some shredded cheddar and some kind of dressing. Someone used to make it for our annual Holiday Luncheon at work. You really don’t need that much bacon or cheddar b/c it’s so flavorful a little goes a long way. If I weren’t so lazy I would make it for myself because it’s so good. Recipe, anyone?
By Judy
June 5, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Deborah, that sounds similar to what my mother makes for Broccoli Salad. It has fresh broccoli florets, red onion, sunflower seeds, raisins, apple cider vinegar, mayonaise and a couple other things. I LOVE this recipe!!!!!
By Yumminess
June 5, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Broccoli/raisin/bacon salad is THE BEST! And all kids that I’ve fed it to, love it. Either use Marzetti’s slaw dressing or make your own. Fry up some bacon and crumble. Chop a red onion and pull the broccoli flourets into bite-sized pieces. Stir together with the slaw dressing and let sit in fridge for about an hour so the flavors can do their thing together. The amounts depend on how much you’re making and what you like best. You can also use the angel hair broccoli for this. It hides the fact that there’s broccoli in it for those who prefer not to know. : )
We’re broccoli fanatics so we love it any and all ways.
By Yumminess
June 5, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
Oops, forgot the raisins. We like lots of raisins for the sweetness they add.
Be sure to add them to the above Broccoli/Raisin/Bacon salad.
Long day…sorry!
By Yumminess
June 5, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
Sheesh, one more thing. Don’t make more of the Broccoli Raisin Bacon Salad than you’ll eat at one meal. It doesn’t hold well over 24 hours in fridge. All the flavors are lost to the onion, the broccoli and raisins start looking sad, and the bacon is a watery mess. So only make enough for one sitting. And KEEP REFRIGERATED! Mayo based dressing and all. Not a good picnic or camping choice.
By Cook
June 5, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Broccoli Salad 2 Broccoli Crowns cut into bite size pieces 2 green onions chopped 1 large bunch of green grapes, halved 1/2 container of feta cheese good handful of sunflower seeds
dressing; 1/2 c mayo, 1 TBSP vinegar, 1 TBSP sugar. Mix well and toss. I have also used plain yogurt for dressing as well as added raisins to the salad. Enjoy!
By Yumminess
June 5, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
Cook that sounds amazing! Thank you so much for a new recipe to add to my list! Grapes and feta just seem to go together so well. Have a bruschetta-style recipe with quartered grapes (NOT an easy task, second time I just whirled em in the Cuisinart, same diff) and crumbled feta, drizzled with olive oil. Yummy!
By Love My Veggies
June 5, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Oven Roasted Broccoli … take the florets and toss them with olive oil and salt & pepper to taste (garlic salt is also good). Place in single layer on baking sheet in a preheated 450 degree oven and stir every 5 minutes for about 15 minutes.
By Dee
June 5, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
My children loved broccoli with a dipping sauce made from mayonaise and regular yellow mustard - just delicious, and very easy. The sauce made all the difference in my children eating the vegetable -
By page
June 5, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
You would love to amke this
By J
June 5, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
If you have a steamer, put a little vanilla extract into the water when you steam your broccoli. It gives it a great flavor… Otherwise just a little butter and salt, yum… :)
By Matt
June 5, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
chop a couple of heads of broccoli, a head of cauliflower, a few medium carrots (julienne) add some dried cranberries and toss with light honey dijon salad dressing…makes a tasty crunchy healthy salad.
By DKB
June 5, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this
I like broccoli just about any way, but my family won’t touch it without cheese sauce. I “steam” the broccoli (put in microwave with about 1/4 cup of water and cover the dish for 10 - 15 minutes). I don’t really have a recipe for the sauce, so I don’t have exact measurements. I make the cheese sauce by melting a couple tablespoons of butter/margerine in a sauce pan, stir in a couple tablespoons of flour and add salt to taste, then add a cup or two of milk, depending on how much sauce you need (use 2% or whole — it works, but not as well with skim). Stir over the heat until thickened to desired consistancy (heat fairly slowly or will scorch on bottom). Add 4 or 5 slices of American cheese (you can throw in a handful of shredded cheddar for additional taste) and stir until melted and smooth. Pour over broccoli and serve.
For raw broccoli, it’s always good with ranch dressing to dip in. In a pinch I’ll make up some dip with sour cream, worcestershire sauce, minced onion, and garlic powder. In non-exact measurements (this was a recent experiment when I was craving dip and didn’t have any), use about a half cup of sour cream, a teaspoon of worcestershire, a teaspoon of minced onion, and a couple shakes of garlic powder.