Broccoli: Aye or Nay?

[Scheherazade]

I love broccoli and often get pitying looks from my friends and family when I try to find recipes that include generous portions of broccoli in their ingredients list.

How about you? Are you a broccoli lover or a broccoli hater?

[Calidore]

I can eat raw broccoli because it's pretty tasteless, but the smell and taste after it's been cooked or frozen are godawful.

[Helga]

I love it, raw, grilled, steamed, fried anyway you can think of.


but wasn't it broccoli that killed Homer Simpson?

[PoeticPassions]

I really like broccoli, though when I was younger I tended to dislike it extremely. But I like it cooked or steamed most, and particularly in a wok or some kind of Thai food... But I just had some broccoli today for lunch, and it was great.
Though I will admit that it does smell rather unpleasant after being cooked.

And it's so good for you! Many health benefits.

[kasie]

Love it - cooked or uncooked. Smell? Steam it, hardly any smell, ditto cabbage.

[Buckthorn]

I love it in all its forms, my favourite is roasted broccoli & potato soup

[DocHeart]

I had a colleague who used the office microwave to warm up her broccoli every afternoon. Apparently, she was on a diet. Somehow, though, she never lost any weight.

I have since decided that broccoli not only looks, tastes and smells awful, but is also a totally useless thing.

[billl]

Man, I used to almost never eat vegetables, and I always figured it was a problem because of the four food groups campaigns. But I always hated preparing food, I liked it simple, and vegetables always seemed to require cleaning, cutting, maybe even cooking. Then broccoli changed everything.

You can just stick it in the microwave, on a paper towel! Maybe rinse it first, but that's it--and it comes out terrific (if maybe a little hot). Go ahead and put half a slice of cheese on top, if like cheese. And/or if you are willing to get a plate involved, you could put a couple thin slices of butter on top (you might want to do this for a brief secondary burst of microwaving).

It's also one of the more nutritious vegetables--it's got both vitamins A and C.

I can't say enough about this miracle food.

[Jack of Hearts]

But god could this reader use the fiber.





J

[Scheherazade]

So, apart from the Forum Doctor, we all like broccoli... Almost against the medical advice.

;)

Any recipe ideas?

[Paulclem]

I have had a superlative supply of purple sprouting broccoli this year from my allotment. It is very good in curries.

[JuniperWoolf]

Any recipe ideas?

Growing up, my mom just made it covered in cheese. She'd buy some really nice cheese from the deli then just use it to cover steamed broccoli. It's so simple, but I've honestly never had a complicated broccoli dish that tasted better.

[PoeticPassions]

I have had a superlative supply of purple sprouting broccoli this year from my allotment. It is very good in curries.

Yes, very good in curries.

Or in any Thai dish... with soy sauce maybe.

this sounds really good too: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/thai-curried-noodles-with-broccoli-and-tofu/

For all you vegetarians :) (it seems Vegan friendly too)

[TurquoiseSunset]

I don't mind broccoli, but I don't like it just boiled/blanched or steamed. I prefer it in soups and curries, and as a side dish, par-boiled and finished off in a pan with some butter, garlic and chilli. The broccoli and cheese combination is also okay.

[Buckthorn]

This is my favourite broccoli recipe, non vegans could always use chickpeas & bacon rather than using spices to flavour them. Its a brilliant recipe, rather like a roast dinner in a soup:
http://havecakewilltravel.com/2010/04/29/juliette-brioche-is-annoying-me/

[TurquoiseSunset]

This is my favourite broccoli recipe, non vegans could always use chickpeas & bacon rather than using spices to flavour them. Its a brilliant recipe, rather like a roast dinner in a soup:
http://havecakewilltravel.com/2010/04/29/juliette-brioche-is-annoying-me/

I made Broccoli soup for the first time last week, and I did not use reduced sodium stock and it made my soup way too salty. So next time I'm only putting in one cube.

Thanks for the recipe too. I'll keep it in mind for my next attempt.

[DocHeart]

The poll result is making me feel marginalized and alone. I call upon all broccoli haters to unite and reverse this tragedy against sensible eating.

[MarkBastable]

Raw it's an inedible plant-stalk, and if it's steamed or boiled for more than seventeen seconds it's an inedible mush. Get it right, and it's quite nice, but frankly it's not worth the anxious attention that cooking it requires.

[Buckthorn]

I made Broccoli soup for the first time last week, and I did not use reduced sodium stock and it made my soup way too salty. So next time I'm only putting in one cube.

Thanks for the recipe too. I'll keep it in mind for my next attempt.
You're very welcome, I try not to use stock cubes at all if possible, they are way too salty (especially in recipes like this where there is salt from soy sauce), I make home made stock without salt in

[Scheherazade]

I buy stock from supermarket and my favourite dish is Chicken and Broccoli Bake. Also, recently I have tried Broccoli and Potato Soup, which was very nice. Neither recipes rely on broccoli remaining in perfect state to taste or look good, which is always an added bonus.

In my language we have a saying that one should do what the doctor advices, not what he does ;)

PS: I add the "Who cares?" option in these polls for Mark's sake in general.

[Hawkman]

Raw it's an inedible plant-stalk, and if it's steamed or boiled for more than seventeen seconds it's an inedible mush. Get it right, and it's quite nice, but frankly it's not worth the anxious attention that cooking it requires.

Nuke it from frozen for 2 minitues and serve with melted butter. Delish.

[Helga]

Nuke it from frozen for 2 minitues and serve with melted butter. Delish.

a lot of butter and a bit of salt, that is tasty.

[MarkBastable]

Nuke it from frozen for 2 minitues and serve with melted butter. Delish.

If it's been frozen, the cellular structure has already been broken down by the expansion of the water inside, so it's going to be inedible mush whatever you do with it - as it is if it's an ingredient in any dish with the word 'Bake' in the name.

[Hawkman]

If you don't like broccoli it will always be inedible for you. However, I can assure you that the description of mush is entirely inappropriate. After nuking, the form of the vegetable is perfectly retained, as is the colour. If you've been cooking the entire stalk then it might explain why you're having some difficulty with it. Try cutting off the flourettes and just cooking these :D

[MarkBastable]

You'll forgive me if I hesitate to take culinary advice from one who can countenance frozen vegetables.

[Neo_Sephiroth]

I love broccoli! Now that you've mentioned it I'll try to find broccoli recipes as well. Mmmmm...Broccoli....

[Calidore]

In my language we have a saying that one should do what the doctor advices, not what he does ;)


This reminds me of one of my favorite old-time radio commercials (can't remember which show offhand--I have a pretty big collection): "More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette!"

Just curious, what is your native language?

[liza]

Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C. The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anti-cancer compound sulforaphane, though the benefits of broccoli are greatly reduced if the vegetable is boiled. Broccoli is also an excellent source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells.

Boiling broccoli reduces the levels of suspected anti-carcinogenic compounds, such as sulforaphane, with losses of 20 – 30% after five minutes, 40 – 50% after ten minutes, and 77% after thirty minutes. However, other preparation methods such as steaming, microwaving, and stir frying had no significant effect on the compounds.

Broccoli has the highest levels of carotenoids in the brassica family. It is particularly rich in lutein and also provides a modest amount of beta-carotene. :) :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broccoli

I think broccoli is a good thing !! :P

[Idril]

One of my favorite broccoli recipes, and one that is requested often is to toss 2 or 3 heads of broccoli with 3 tablespoons of oil and 3 cloves of garlic, minced. Heat the oven to the highest setting, spread the broccoli on a shallow pan, sprinkled it with salt and pepper and put it on the highest rack in the oven. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning once. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar when done. It's so simple but the taste is just divine.

[qimissung]

Idril, I just came here to say that I love roasted broccoli! Great minds think alike!

[Themis]

I can eat raw broccoli because it's pretty tasteless, but the smell and taste after it's been cooked or frozen are godawful.

Why in the world would anyone eat raw broccoli?
Sorry. I've just never heard of a recipe for that, or anyone doing that.

As for broccoli in general: Yay! :)

[Idril]

Idril, I just came here to say that I love roasted broccoli! Great minds think alike!

Indeed, they must. :wink5: The only way my son, Isaac, who has Crohn's Disease, can eat broccoli is if it's boiled to mush. He loves the stuff but his gut can't handle those fibrous vegies. And I couldn't even cover it in cheese because he can't have dairy either. It's so wonderful when I get the chance to eat broccoli that isn't mush. :p

[qimissung]

I really don't mind it microwaved. But the roasted kind is so flavorful. Themis, raw broccoli is not bad when served along with some ranch dressing. Having said that, I rarely eat it that way.

[Calidore]

Why in the world would anyone eat raw broccoli?
Sorry. I've just never heard of a recipe for that, or anyone doing that.

As for broccoli in general: Yay! :)

Really? I see it in salads frequently. Myself, I just buy it and dunk the florets in salad dressing. Raw also guarantees the considerable nutrients stay intact. And in my case, it's also the only way I can stomach the stuff.

[billl]

I used to eat it raw quite often, because it was healthy, it was a vegetable, and it was easy. It takes time to eat it that way though--more than just a few dry florets can be tough to get down if one is in a rush.

I never tried it raw while dipping it in dressing--sounds good, but that could kill the convenience. I guess with a squeeze-bottle, though...

[qimissung]

Ranch dressing is really great with raw broccoli, billl.

[TheFifthElement]

Why in the world would anyone eat raw broccoli?
Sorry. I've just never heard of a recipe for that, or anyone doing that.

As for broccoli in general: Yay! :)

My daughter (at the age of 7!) introduced me to raw broccoli. I think she'd tried it at school. It's actually quite nice, but better, I think, if lightly steamed. I like it still crunchy.

I've never tried it roasted; I'll have to give that a go.

Big AYE from me on the broccoli front. I'm a fan.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Steamed with a dash of salt and several squirts of lemmon juice. Good.

[tonywalt]

Broccoli florets can be roasted after being tossed in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and minced garlic. A squeeze of lemon juice before serving tops it off nicely.

[Themis]

My daughter (at the age of 7!) introduced me to raw broccoli. I think she'd tried it at school. It's actually quite nice, but better, I think, if lightly steamed. I like it still crunchy.


Are you, by any chance, an American? Because then it might be an American ... thing.
I checked with my friends and family and asked them about raw broccoli and every one of them gave me a look of such incredulous horror I don't dare mention it anymore.

[Idril]

Are you, by any chance, an American? Because then it might be an American ... thing.
I checked with my friends and family and asked them about raw broccoli and every one of them gave me a look of such incredulous horror I don't dare mention it anymore.

It's definitely a pretty common practice in the US to eat raw broccoli. You often see trays of raw carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery along with a bowl of ranch dressing for dipping. I really like it raw, it's very...leafy.

[prendrelemick]

Daughter Number Two would not eat her broccoli untill we started calling them "little trees."

[MarkBastable]

Daughter Number Two would not climb trees until we started calling them 'big broccolis'.

Kids'll fall for anything.

Can I trot out an old gag...?


What's the difference between broccoli and bogies (boogers, for the Americans)?








You can't get kids to eat broccoli.

[prendrelemick]

^ Ha! (Absolutely true)


Parenting is all about subti'uge and manipulation.

[TheFifthElement]

Are you, by any chance, an American? Because then it might be an American ... thing.
I checked with my friends and family and asked them about raw broccoli and every one of them gave me a look of such incredulous horror I don't dare mention it anymore.

:lol: Nope, 100% British.

Can't say I'd ever encountered eating raw broccoli until my daughter asked for it. She tried it, I think, at school. I think they have some scheme where the council will pay for fresh fruit and vegetables for the 7's and under (like the milk business) and the schools tend to interpret this quite widely, so my daughter has had all sorts of vegetables raw, and some unusual fruits too. Perhaps raw broccoli will become more common. It is surprisingly nice, though you couldn't eat a lot of it.

Have you tried it? My advice, keep the florets small :D


Broccoli florets can be roasted after being tossed in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and minced garlic. A squeeze of lemon juice before serving tops it off nicely.
Sounds delicious :) how long do you roast it for?

[Themis]

:lol: Nope, 100% British.

In that case: sorry. ;)



Have you tried it? My advice, keep the florets small :D


No, I haven't dared try it yet.