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What is the best gift you can give a Food Blogger?

When one of my dear friends Santhy and her family came over for lunch on Sunday, they knew exactly what to get. Knowing how I eat only Organic Vegetables, she got me a few gorgeous heads of Broccoli from Lumiere Organic Store and I couldn’t have been happier.

Broccoli is easily one of my favorite vegetables. My Organic Store stocks only local Indian vegetables which means unfortunately they don’t sell Broccoli. It had been a while since I had cooked a beautiful head of Broccoli and I was certainly exited to have these beauties back in my kitchen.

I don’t really like messing too much with any fresh vegetable. When they are so full of nutrition and flavor, it’s best to keep them simple. Same rule applies to Broccoli as well. If you get a firm green head of Broccoli, just simply steam them, blanch them or eat them raw. I always like to stir-fry my Broccoli as this is a quick and healthy way of eating them which hits the spot every single time.

Sometimes what sounds as simple as a stir-fry can be new every time depending on how to make it. Experiment with different ingredients in your kitchen and you’ll be amazed with all the exiting possibilities!

Here are some ways of coming up with new flavors every time -

• Use different oils like olive oil, mustard oil, sesame oil, coconut oil or peanut oil.
• Spice it up with fresh or dry red and green chilies, black pepper, garlic, ginger or onions.
• Sprinkle sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, cashew, almonds or cheese on top
• Add a dash of teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, red chili sauce etc
• Combine other vegetables like mushrooms, bock choy, green beans, baby corn, carrots or tofu

Another wonderful thing about stir-fries is that you can eat it in so many different ways. It can easily be served as an appetizer by itself. Serve them over rice, noodles or pasta and it’s the best lunch or dinner you can eat. Serve it over toast or even egg for a hearty breakfast! I never really get tired of vegetable sitr-fries and they are my ‘go-to’ under 20 minute meals when I don’t know what to cook.

I usually stir-fry my Broccoli in olive oil with garlic, salt and pepper but today I added a big dollop of homemade pesto to it. I loved the burst of Basil flavor against the crunchy sweetness of Broccoli and how it made already green stir-fry a little greener! My husband and daughter loved this new twist and the entire bowl of Broccoli disappeared within minutes.

Santhy told me that she had never really cooked with Broccoli as she didn’t know a simple and easy recipe which her family can enjoy. So this recipe is dedicated to her. Thank you so much for the Broccoli Santhy!

Notes:

• Use Organic Broccoli whenever possible.
• Making your own Pesto is very easy and works out a lot cheaper. I make mine with almonds instead of pine nuts and don’t use any cheese in it. Use can use regular store bought ones also.
• Add some red chili flakes along with garlic if you want some heat
• Use the stalk and the leaves also while cooking Broccoli. They are edible.

Ingredients:

• 1 small head of broccoli
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 4-5 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp pesto
• salt and pepper to season.

Crush the garlic in a pestle and mortar and keep it aside.

Clean the broccoli well and cut it into bite size florets.

Heat oil in a pan. Add the garlic and fry for a couple of minutes. Add the broccoli and toss for the oil to coat everything. reduce the flame, over with a lid and cook for 2 minutes. Broccoli will change color and will be slightly cooked from the steam created in the pan. I like to leave them really crunchy but if you want them soft, you an sprinkle some water and let it cook for another 2 minutes. Add the pesto, mix for everything to combine and let it heat through one. Season with additional salt and pepper if required and serve immediately.