Broccoli makes an excellent addition to any dinner plate thanks to its abundance of fibre and vitamins, yet countless people despise it when prepared incorrectly. While boiling vegetables remains a popular time-saving method, this approach can render broccoli exceptionally bitter with an unpleasant odour, some have taken to air frying veg.
Water-boiling broccoli risks overcooking and breaking down sulphur compounds, creating that off-putting smell and taste. Instead, Karen Tedesco, a professionally trained chef and founder of Familystyle Food, has revealed that sautéing broccoli in a frying pan produces far superior results. Karen explained: “Master a simple technique and make this delicious sautéed broccoli with crisp-textured edges and a tender bite.
“It’s full of flavour, with plenty of olive oil, garlic and Parmesan cheese.”
Whilst sautéing might sound complex, the process simply involves cooking broccoli with a splash of olive oil alongside other flavoursome ingredients for enhanced taste.
Proper broccoli preparation creates a crispy texture whilst lightly caramelising the vegetable, delivering a more enjoyable bite.
Boiling not only ruins broccoli’s flavour but also causes most nutrients to leach into the water, resulting in a soggy mess that’s nutritionally inferior.
Investing time in proper broccoli preparation takes under 15 minutes whilst delivering superior taste, crispness and health benefits.
Method
To start, chop the broccoli into evenly sized florets and trim off any tough ends.
Heat a large frying pan on a medium-high heat. Once the pan is sufficiently hot, add the broccoli, salt and olive oil.
Ensure the broccoli is in a single layer and not touching, as this will allow them to sear better. Cook the broccoli without stirring for five to eight minutes until one side is golden-brown.
Stir the broccoli, then reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic chilli flakes and pour in 60ml of water.
Cover the frying pan and cook for an additional five minutes.
The broccoli should now be a vibrant green and easily pierced with a fork. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with lemon wedges and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Your perfectly crisp and delicious broccoli is now ready to be enjoyed.