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broccoli

Broccoli

Do you know which vegetable was voted the most loved vegetable in the UK last year? You're thinking peas, or maybe carrots - everyone loves carrots. The answer, of course, is broccoli. Us Brits love these little miniature trees. Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable and provides a range of vitamins (including A, C, E, K and some of the B vitamins e.g. folic acid) and minerals (including iron, potassium, calcium, selenium and magnesium. Studies have linked the consumption of cruciferous vegetables to heart health and due to its vitamin K and fibre content, broccoli also supports bone health and immune health. To cook: simply cut the florets from the trunk and then steam or boil them until soft, but not soggy. If you really want to rock the broc - steam or boil for only 3 mins then toss the florets into a frying pan on a medium heat with chopped garlic and olive oil, sauté for 3-5 mins then sprinkle with lemon juice, salt and pepper, and devour them. To store: broccoli loves water - keep in the fridge for a day or 2, or keep it fresh for up to a week by placing stems in a jar of water and covering the tops with a plastic bag (or simply spray with water and wrap in kitchen roll in a bag). If it's there beyond that, turn it into soup by boiling in stock and a dry herb of choice, perhaps even with some creamy Stilton stirred through. You can freeze broccoli by blanching in boiling water for just 2-3 mins, cooling then freezing laid out on a tray in the freezer for a couple of hours before storing in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 6 months. To prep: slice a head of broccoli in half through the crown, then cut out the stem and the florets should fall apart - any still stuck together can be cut or pulled apart. And don't waste those stems! They are "grate" shredded into coleslaw or chopped and roasted or stuck in soup.

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Broccoli recipes

Creamy Curry & Rainbow Vegetable Rice

Effort: 3
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Claire Wright

The Wonderful World of Veg

Check out our vegepedia. When to buy in-season. How to store them to keep for longer. How to engage children with each veg, and simple ideas of how to prepare and cook them for maximum taste and minimum waste. Select a veg…

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