Broccoli can become a kid favorite. And it’s easy enough for a kid to make, with directions from Bruce Tretter.
Sure, broccoli is incredibly beneficial. It’s packed with nutrients, vitamins and fiber that, among other things, can help reduce cholesterol and inflammation, detoxify our bodies, and metabolize vitamin D. For more information, just tap this link to the World’s Healthiest Foods site. But, along with its tremendous nutritional value, broccoli tastes great, it’s versatile, and it’s even—or can be—a kid favorite … if it’s cooked properly.
Cooking properly is key. Rock hard broccoli is a choker; mushy broccoli is a push-the-plate-away-from-me-NOW! downer. The best way to cook broccoli to maintain the best of its flavor and nutritional value is to cook it with as little water as possible because water absorbs the vegetable’s nutrients and flavor. That same water then gets dumped right down the drain after cooking. Steaming’s a great way to go but that involves dealing with a pot, some kind of steaming device and lots of stuff to clean.
Not for me.
That’s why I like using the microwave. I can cook and serve from the same one container—and also maintain the best of broccoli’s flavor and nutrition. Below, you’ll see step-by-step picture book directions showing how to cook broccoli in the microwave oven. You can also watch this short step-by-step video:
And, although broccoli tastes great on its own, this recipe offers the option of adding more flavor with a shot of balsamic (or any) vinegar, a light dusting of grated Parmesan (or your favorite) cheese and/or a good crunch of freshly ground black pepper.
Preparation Time: 1-2 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 minute per handful of broccoli
Needed
(per person)
1 Big Handful of Fresh Broccoli
Microwave Oven Safe Bowl (big enough to hold broccoli)
Sharp Knife
Ground Black Pepper
Balsamic (or any) Vinegar (optional)
Grated Parmesan (or any) Cheese (optional)
Microwave Oven
1. Break off broccoli branches from the stem by hand.
Use a sharp knife to cut the broccoli stems and florets into bite-sized pieces, and …
…put the pieces in a microwave oven safe bowl.
2. Rinse the broccoli well in the bowl with cool tap water. Then cover the broccoli with one hand to keep the pieces in the bowl, and drain off all the water.
3. Put the bowl in the middle of the microwave oven, and cook using HIGH heat for 1 minute per handful of broccoli. NOTE: Cooking time will vary depending on the watt power of your microwave oven. I used a 1200-watt microwave oven and cooked the big handful of broccoli you see here for 1 minute.
4. After cooking, CAREFULLY remove the bowl from the microwave oven and either serve as is or…
…add your choice or a combination of a shot of balsamic (or any) vinegar, a light dusting of Parmesan (or your favorite) cheese and/or a good crunch of ground black pepper.
Read more on The Good Life.
Images courtesy of Bruce Tretter