Difference between revisions of "Boil Broccoli"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Cleaning and Cutting Broccoli === | === Cleaning and Cutting Broccoli === | ||
| − | #Purchase fresh broccoli. Look for broccoli that is uniformly green, without a lot of brown or yellow areas. Feel the stem and crown to make sure they are firm and not limp. Check that the florets are in a nice, tight bunch.<ref>http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-broccoli-5-ways-167323</ref> | + | #Purchase fresh broccoli. Look for broccoli that is uniformly green, without a lot of brown or yellow areas. Feel the stem and crown to make sure they are firm and not limp. Check that the florets are in a nice, tight bunch.<ref name="rf1">http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-broccoli-5-ways-167323</ref> |
#*You can store raw broccoli in your refrigerator drawer for at least a week. However, its nutritional properties will begin to decline after three days. | #*You can store raw broccoli in your refrigerator drawer for at least a week. However, its nutritional properties will begin to decline after three days. | ||
| − | #Clean the broccoli with vinegar and water. Fill a spray bottle with three parts water to one part white vinegar. Spray the broccoli well.<ref>https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5677-washing-produce</ref> Alternately, soak the broccoli in vinegar water before cooking it, which will also drive out any insects that may be in it.<ref>http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--1410/how-to-cook-broccoli.asp</ref> Rinse the vegetables under cold tap water. | + | #Clean the broccoli with vinegar and water. Fill a spray bottle with three parts water to one part white vinegar. Spray the broccoli well.<ref name="rf2">https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5677-washing-produce</ref> Alternately, soak the broccoli in vinegar water before cooking it, which will also drive out any insects that may be in it.<ref name="rf3">http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--1410/how-to-cook-broccoli.asp</ref> Rinse the vegetables under cold tap water. |
#*You can wash produce with water alone, but using the diluted vinegar method first removes about 98% of surface bacteria. | #*You can wash produce with water alone, but using the diluted vinegar method first removes about 98% of surface bacteria. | ||
#*To make rinsing easier, place the broccoli in a colander inside of a clean sink basin. Use the spray setting on your faucet to rinse the vegetables. | #*To make rinsing easier, place the broccoli in a colander inside of a clean sink basin. Use the spray setting on your faucet to rinse the vegetables. | ||
| − | #Cut the stalks away from the florets. Use a sharp knife to cut through the vegetable stem about two inches below the crown. Break the crown apart into big florets. Slice each floret’s trunk to get bite-sized chunks.<ref>http://startcooking.com/how-to-cook-broccoli</ref> | + | #Cut the stalks away from the florets. Use a sharp knife to cut through the vegetable stem about two inches below the crown. Break the crown apart into big florets. Slice each floret’s trunk to get bite-sized chunks.<ref name="rf4">http://startcooking.com/how-to-cook-broccoli</ref> |
| − | #*Remove any damaged or wilted leaves.<ref | + | #*Remove any damaged or wilted leaves.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #*If desired, save the stalks to add to stew, salad, or stir-fry.<ref>http://www.howtoboil.net/how-to-boil-broccoli.html</ref> | + | #*If desired, save the stalks to add to stew, salad, or stir-fry.<ref name="rf5">http://www.howtoboil.net/how-to-boil-broccoli.html</ref> |
#*You can leave the stalks on if your recipe calls for it. Just peel back and remove the outermost layer, which is tough to eat, with a knife or vegetable peeler. | #*You can leave the stalks on if your recipe calls for it. Just peel back and remove the outermost layer, which is tough to eat, with a knife or vegetable peeler. | ||
=== Boiling Broccoli Fully === | === Boiling Broccoli Fully === | ||
| − | #Bring a pot of water to a boil. Pour enough water in a pot that it will completely submerge your broccoli. Add a sprinkle of salt to the water. Set the heat to high.<ref | + | #Bring a pot of water to a boil. Pour enough water in a pot that it will completely submerge your broccoli. Add a sprinkle of salt to the water. Set the heat to high.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#*You can use regular table salt or sea salt. | #*You can use regular table salt or sea salt. | ||
#*If you’re unsure whether you’ll have enough water in the pot to cover the broccoli, you can put the broccoli in the pot and cover it with water. Then take it back out and set it aside. | #*If you’re unsure whether you’ll have enough water in the pot to cover the broccoli, you can put the broccoli in the pot and cover it with water. Then take it back out and set it aside. | ||
| − | #Cook the stalks first. Wait until the water has reached a rolling boil. If you want to cook the stalks, add them to the pot. Cook them for two minutes.<ref | + | #Cook the stalks first. Wait until the water has reached a rolling boil. If you want to cook the stalks, add them to the pot. Cook them for two minutes.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#*Broccoli stalks take longer to cook then florets. | #*Broccoli stalks take longer to cook then florets. | ||
| − | #Add the florets. Lower the florets gently into the boiling water with a slotted spoon.<ref>http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/brilliant-broccoli/</ref> Cook them in the pot with the stalks, if applicable, for four to five minutes. Don’t overcook them, or they will lose texture and taste.<ref | + | #Add the florets. Lower the florets gently into the boiling water with a slotted spoon.<ref name="rf6">http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/brilliant-broccoli/</ref> Cook them in the pot with the stalks, if applicable, for four to five minutes. Don’t overcook them, or they will lose texture and taste.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#*The broccoli is done when it is tender enough to easily insert the tip of a knife. | #*The broccoli is done when it is tender enough to easily insert the tip of a knife. | ||
| − | #Cool the vegetables. Remove them with tongs or drain them with a heat-safe colander. Spread the broccoli on a baking sheet. Allow it to cool down at room temperature.<ref>http://www.finecooking.com/articles/4-ways-cook-broccoli.aspx?pg=2</ref> | + | #Cool the vegetables. Remove them with tongs or drain them with a heat-safe colander. Spread the broccoli on a baking sheet. Allow it to cool down at room temperature.<ref name="rf7">http://www.finecooking.com/articles/4-ways-cook-broccoli.aspx?pg=2</ref> |
#*If you believe you may have cooked the broccoli too long, you can place the baking sheet into your fridge to speed up the cooling process. | #*If you believe you may have cooked the broccoli too long, you can place the baking sheet into your fridge to speed up the cooling process. | ||
=== Blanching Broccoli === | === Blanching Broccoli === | ||
| − | #Boil water. Put a large pot of water over high heat. Add between a sprinkle and a tablespoon of salt to the water, if desired.<ref>http://startcooking.com/blanching-vegetables</ref> Allow the pot of water to come to a boil.<ref>http://dish.allrecipes.com/blanching-and-shocking-vegetables/</ref> | + | #Boil water. Put a large pot of water over high heat. Add between a sprinkle and a tablespoon of salt to the water, if desired.<ref name="rf8">http://startcooking.com/blanching-vegetables</ref> Allow the pot of water to come to a boil.<ref name="rf9">http://dish.allrecipes.com/blanching-and-shocking-vegetables/</ref> |
#*Adding salt is optional. The advantage is that it will enhance the broccoli’s flavor. The disadvantage is that, over time, the sodium will cause the broccoli to be mushier. | #*Adding salt is optional. The advantage is that it will enhance the broccoli’s flavor. The disadvantage is that, over time, the sodium will cause the broccoli to be mushier. | ||
| − | #Prepare an ice bath. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Use a container that is at least five quarts. Alternately, you can use a clean sink basin with a drain stopper.<ref>http://farmtotable.colostate.edu/docs/broccolifactsheet.pdf</ref> | + | #Prepare an ice bath. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Use a container that is at least five quarts. Alternately, you can use a clean sink basin with a drain stopper.<ref name="rf10">http://farmtotable.colostate.edu/docs/broccolifactsheet.pdf</ref> |
| − | #*Skipping this step will affect the color and texture of your broccoli.<ref>http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/common-mistakes-while-cooking-vegetables/</ref> | + | #*Skipping this step will affect the color and texture of your broccoli.<ref name="rf11">http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/common-mistakes-while-cooking-vegetables/</ref> |
| − | #Cook the broccoli in boiling water. Lower the broccoli into the water with a slotted spoon. Let it cook for about three minutes.<ref>http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/broccoli.html</ref> | + | #Cook the broccoli in boiling water. Lower the broccoli into the water with a slotted spoon. Let it cook for about three minutes.<ref name="rf12">http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/broccoli.html</ref> |
#Test the doneness with the tip of a sharp knife. If the vegetable clings onto the knife, it’s not yet done. If the knife goes in and out with ease, the broccoli is done. | #Test the doneness with the tip of a sharp knife. If the vegetable clings onto the knife, it’s not yet done. If the knife goes in and out with ease, the broccoli is done. | ||
| − | #Plunge the broccoli into the ice bath immediately. Take the broccoli out of the water with tongs or a slotted spoon. “Shock” it by putting it into the ice bath.<ref | + | #Plunge the broccoli into the ice bath immediately. Take the broccoli out of the water with tongs or a slotted spoon. “Shock” it by putting it into the ice bath.<ref name="rf9" /> |
| − | #*Shocking vegetables cooks them moderately, then cools them rapidly so they stay crunchy.<ref | + | #*Shocking vegetables cooks them moderately, then cools them rapidly so they stay crunchy.<ref name="rf9" /> |
| − | #Leave the broccoli in the ice bath to cool. Allow the broccoli to sit in the ice bath for about five minutes. Don’t remove the broccoli from the ice bath until it is entirely cool, or it will keep cooking from the inside out.<ref | + | #Leave the broccoli in the ice bath to cool. Allow the broccoli to sit in the ice bath for about five minutes. Don’t remove the broccoli from the ice bath until it is entirely cool, or it will keep cooking from the inside out.<ref name="rf10" /> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
| − | *Blanching vegetables maintains more flavor and nutrients than fully boiling them. Blanch broccoli if you plant to freeze it.<ref | + | *Blanching vegetables maintains more flavor and nutrients than fully boiling them. Blanch broccoli if you plant to freeze it.<ref name="rf10" /> |
== Related Articles == | == Related Articles == | ||
