Steaming Broccolini: A Quick, Healthy, And Delicious Guide

Broccolini is a tasty and nutritious hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale. It is packed with vitamins and minerals and is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. In this article, we will teach you how to steam broccolini on the stove, preserving its vibrant colour, crisp texture, and mouthwatering flavour. Before you start, you will need a bunch of broccolini, a large pot with a tight-fitting lid, and a steam basket or colander. First, rinse the broccolini under cold water to remove any dirt, then pat it dry with a clean towel. Next, fill the pot with about an inch of water and bring it to a boil over medium heat. While the water is heating up, prepare the steam basket by placing it over the pot. Place the broccolini in the steam basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Once the water is boiling, carefully place the steam basket with the broccolini over the pot, cover with the lid, and let it steam for about 5-7 minutes. Serve immediately as a side dish or incorporate it into your favourite recipes!

Preparing the broccolini

Fill a large pot with about an inch of water and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Depending on the size of your pot, you may need to adjust the water level, but be sure not to submerge the broccolini completely. While the water is heating up, prepare your steamer basket or colander by placing it over the pot. Make sure the steamer basket does not come into direct contact with the boiling water.

Arrange the broccolini in the steamer basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not overcrowded for proper steaming. If you like, you can sprinkle a pinch of salt over the broccolini to enhance its natural flavour.

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the steamer basket with the broccolini over the pot. Cover it with a lid to create a sealed environment for steaming. Let the broccolini steam for about 4 to 7 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of tenderness. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking, as broccolini can become mushy if steamed for too long.

Preparing the steamer

Next, fill the pot with water. You want the water level to be about an inch deep, or enough so that the water is just under the steamer basket. Bring this water to a boil over medium heat. While you're waiting for the water to heat up, prepare your steamer basket by placing it over the pot.

Now it's time to prepare the broccolini. Rinse the broccolini under cold water to remove any dirt, and pat it dry with a clean towel. You can trim the stems by about half an inch if you like, but this isn't necessary. Arrange the broccolini in the steamer basket, making sure the pieces are evenly spaced and not overcrowded. This will allow for even steaming.

Finally, once the water is boiling, carefully place the steamer basket containing the broccolini over the pot. Cover the pot with the lid to create a sealed environment for steaming.

Steaming the broccolini

Step 1: Prepare the broccolini and steamer

Rinse the broccolini under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat it dry with a clean towel. You can choose to trim the stalks to your desired length or leave them whole. Prepare your steamer by filling a large pot with a few inches of water and fitting it with a steamer attachment or basket. A metal colander can also be used. Ensure the water level is just below the steamer basket, adding or reducing water as needed.

Step 2: Arrange the broccolini

While the water is heating up, arrange the broccolini in the steamer basket, making sure they are evenly spaced and not overcrowded for proper steaming. You can sprinkle a pinch of salt over the broccolini to enhance its natural flavours.

Step 3: Steam the broccolini

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the steamer basket with the broccolini over the pot. Cover it with a lid to create a sealed environment. Let the broccolini steam for about 4 to 7 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness and tenderness. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking, as broccolini can become mushy if steamed for too long.

Step 4: Remove from heat and serve

Once the broccolini reaches your desired level of tenderness, carefully remove the steamer basket from the pot, being cautious of the hot steam. Remove the broccolini from the steamer and place it on a serving plate or bowl. It is important to dry and cool the broccolini immediately to prevent overcooking and preserve its crisp texture. You can serve it as a side dish or incorporate it into your favourite recipes. Enjoy!

Drying and cooling the broccolini

First, line a cutting board or baking sheet with a large tea towel or some paper towels. This absorbent layer will help to wick away moisture from the broccolini, ensuring it doesn't become soggy. You can also pat the broccolini dry with a clean towel before placing it on the prepared surface.

Next, transfer the cooked broccolini to the lined surface. It's important to do this right after steaming, as broccolini continues to cook and soften even after being removed from direct heat. By drying and cooling it promptly, you halt the cooking process and lock in that crisp texture.

Allow the broccolini to cool at room temperature for around 10 minutes. This cooling period further helps to halt the cooking process and brings the vegetable to a temperature that's ideal for serving or adding dressings.

Once cooled, transfer the broccolini to a serving plate, bowl, or platter. It's now ready to be dressed with your favourite tahini or other dressing. You can also serve it as-is or with a simple drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice, or your preferred seasoning.

Remember, the drying and cooling steps are key to preserving the crispness of the broccolini and enhancing its ability to soak up dressings or sauces. So, whether you're serving it as a side dish or incorporating it into a recipe, don't skip this important step!

Serving the broccolini

Once your broccolini is steamed, you can serve it as a side dish or incorporate it into other recipes. Here are some ideas for serving your steamed broccolini:

• On its own: Steamed broccolini can be served as a simple and nutritious side dish. You can season it with salt, pepper, and red chilli flakes or add some texture and crunch with garlic butter, toasted seeds, and nuts such as flaked almonds and sesame seeds.
• With a protein: Steamed broccolini goes well with grilled chicken, salmon, beef, pork, lamb, or tofu. It's a great way to add some greenery to your meal.
• In a pasta dish: Try adding steamed broccolini to your favourite pasta recipe for some extra texture and flavour.
• In a stir-fry: Broccolini is a versatile ingredient that can be tossed into a stir-fry with other vegetables and proteins.
• In a salad: Steamed broccolini can be a great addition to a salad, providing some extra crunch and nutrition.
• With a dressing: For a more indulgent option, try serving your steamed broccolini with a creamy tahini dressing. Other dressing options include a simple champagne vinaigrette, cashew cilantro dressing, or sunflower seed romesco.
• With a dip: Steamed broccolini can be enjoyed as a snack with your favourite dip.

No matter how you choose to serve it, steamed broccolini is a delicious and healthy option that can be tailored to your taste preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different seasonings, flavours, and recipes!

Frequently asked questions