Broccoli manages to find its way onto our plates more often than not as a quick and easy veggie side dish. It’s one of those veggies that the kids have always been willing to eat {even though, until fairly recently it wasn’t my favorite}, so I kind of gravitate toward using it pretty regularly. I don’t usually get a bumper crop of broccoli, so it gets used up pretty quick, but when I was getting it from Mr. Produce Guy, I had to get a little creative on making sure we could preserve it or use it before it went bad.
Here’s a few ways to use it up:
Preserving
- Really, the only way I have ever preserved broccoli is to freeze it. To freeze it, wash it and cut it into florets. Then, blanch it for about 3 minutes. Immediately immerse it in ice water to stop the cooking. Then, lay the florets out on a cookie tray lined with a silpat or parchment paper. Freeze the broccoli in a single layer {this will prevent them from sticking together once you have bagged them}. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container and put them back in the freezer.
Ways to Enjoy Them Fresh
- Keep it simple. Just cut them up and dip them into homemade hummus or ranch.
- Toss them into soups. Even better, make broccoli one of the headliners–broccoli and cheddar soup makes winter easier. It’s a fact.
- Get a little veggie into your breakfast by adding them to egg bakes and quiches.
- Add broccoli to green salads. It gives your salad a little nutritional boost.
- Steam or roast broccoli for an easy side dish.
- Broccoli salads are great for easy sides to whip up for potlucks or BBQ’s.
Does your family eat broccoli? How do you prepare or preserve it?
~Mavis
Want to grow your own? GO HERE for the low down.
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Julia says
We lov broccoli at our house and it is more go to veggie side dish, just steamed. You can revive a witty bunch of brocc by cutting off the end of the stem and placing it stem down in a cup/bowl of cold water in the fridge. It will perk right up!
katie p nc says
http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com/search?q=crack+broccoli
You have to make this! It is my absolute favorite way to make broccoli, and I’ll eat 2 heads of it in a sitting! It comes out almost tasting like popcorn.
Rebecca says
Thanks for the broccoli recipes.
My favorite broccoli salad is this one from Jamie Deen: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-deen/broccoli-salad-recipe.html
Janice says
I miss the tales of Mr. Produce Guy….
Joanna says
My middle child LOVES roasted broccoli. I cut the head up into florets, shake them in a bag with olive oil, lay them on a foil lined pan and salt them, then roast at 350* until slightly brown on top.
Danielle says
Every once in a while we have leftover roasted broccoli just in time to use it as a salty topping g for veggie pizza! Yum!