After you buy a fresh bunch of broccoli, there are many ways you can prepare it at home. Learn how to cut up broccoli and cook it in water, on the stovetop, and in the microwave.See Transcript
Transcript:Cooking BroccoliHi, I'm Rachel Edelman for About.com Food. Today I'm going to show you 3 different ways to cook fresh broccoli.
Choosing BroccoliFirst, you need to wash your broccoli. At the store, look for broccoli with lively green leaves and firm, thin stalks. The tree or florets should be closed and a dark green color.
Cutting BroccoliPull off any of the green leaves and cut the florets off the stalk. Try to separate or cut the florets into pieces of equal size for even cooking. You can eat the stalk and use it in your cooking as well, but remember that it cooks at a different rate than the florets.
Steaming BroccoliThere are two ways to use boiling water to cook your broccoli. To steam it, boil 1 to 2 inches of water, put on your steamer, add the broccoli and cover. Take off the cover every once is a while to release the steam to preserve the broccoli's color. Steam the broccoli for 5 to 7 minutes so it's soft on the outside, but still with a slightly crunchy on the inside.
Blanching BroccoliYou can also blanch your broccoli, this will really bring out a bright green color. Heat a quart of water (or enough to cover your broccoli). Once boiling, add your broccoli and cook for about 1 minute. Drain the broccoli, and pour cold water over it to stop it from cooking any further.
Stir Frying BroccoliYou can also Sauté or stir fry your broccoli with some spices. Today I'm going to use garlic, oil and some red pepper flakes. First I'm going to put in the stalks, wait one or two minutes and then add the florets. Cook for 5 minutes and serve.
Microwaving BroccoliAnother easy way you can cook broccoli and keep all its nutrients is to microwave it. Put your broccoli and some water in a microwave safe dish and microwave for about 4 minutes.