Friday Foodie Fix
Eww . How dare you. That’s what my son said when he saw that broccoli was our Secret Ingredient for Friday Foodie Fix. I guess he thinks no one will share any recipes for broccoli or that they will and I’ll make them for him to try. So let’s get him eating more broccoli and share some recipes here. I’ll see if I can sneak a few pics of him trying them out.
Broccoli originated in the Mediterranean as a form of wild cabbage. You may have heard about broccoli raab or brocoletti di rape which is not directly related to broccoli but looks like it would be. However broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale. So are you confused or did that clear everything up?
Broccoli is an excellent source of folate, phytonutrients like betacarotene and lutein, manganese and potassium. A cup of broccoli has as much calcium as a cup of milk and broccolini is rich in vitamins A and C, folate and potassium. But can you do more than steam or boil it? You sure can. How about braising it very slowly with garlic, lemon juice and olive oil.
How do you prepare your broccoli? I can’t wait to try out your recipes on my family! Use Mr. Linky to share your recipe and please link back to this post.
Next week’s Secret Ingredient is …………. Clementine!
Check out Shauna's latest post at glutenfreegirl….she has an awesome looking winter broccoli slaw that I am going to try this weekend! Love broccoli! I put it in so many things, but rarely do I make a dish where it is the star. LOVE to put it in stir fries and curry based dishes!
Two great posts on broccoli from Shauna. That slaw sounds great. I have to get more broccoli for that one. Thanks for reminding us to look at her blog. I wish I was her neighbor.
http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/brocco…
http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/brocco…
I really love broccoli, although I didn't eat until I was 31 when I was pregnant with my son. LOL Despite my love for it since then, I don't really have many recipes because most of the time we just steam it and add a little butter. No sauce or other toppings. We love it that way. I do make chicken divan occasionally, but don't have that up on blog yet. Anyway, my quinoa tabouli, which I linked up for a previous FFF, features broccoli, so I added that link. Thanks as always for your great background info on broccoli. I always learn something here, Diane! And, you know I love the FFF even if I don't always come through for you. 😉
Shirley
Shirley- Thank you so much. The two books I use for reference are amazing. I wish I had time to just sit and read them through. I used to make a really easy one dish meal with chicken, rice, broccoli, chicken broth and some herbs. Cover it with foil and bake. I've not made that in some time but it was a staple. No more rice for me. My poor family doesn't get any rice from me now either. I should pop some into the rice cooker sometime. I think rice is great with broccoli.
We love broccoli here and usually eat it lightly steamed with a little butter and salt. Thanks for hosting!
Linda- I think that is the number one recipe for broccoli.
Sorry I'm late to the party, but couldn't let broccoli go by without saying I love it! I started eating broccoli regularly when I was about 10 and learned I was lactose intolerant. It seemed like a good way to get calcium in my diet, so I started eating it more. Everyone in our family loves broccoli, even my kids who prefer to eat it raw or steamed.
Heather- I'm hoping to get my youngest eating it regularly too. He's 16 and is finding the list of foods he can eat shrinking from his usual plate. He has started eating raw spinach. I'm so happy!
I love broccoli, but am pretty sure I don't have a post on it. Its always been one of my favourite veggies =D.
Lauren- I guess people just use it so much it doesn't seem worthy of a recipe. Not many out there. I love it too. Making it tonight!