Broccoli & Calabrese |
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Broccoli is famous for being one of those foods that parents can't force their kids to eat.
It would seem that, no matter what you do, it's hard to persuade them to enjoy it.
So here are some interesting facts about its history and some ideas for how to sneak it past fussy eaters!
Go straight to broccoli recipes.
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About Broccoli & Calabrese |
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 Broccoli is a member of the brassica family. The plant produces green flower heads on thick stalks. They are picked and eaten before the flowers bloom.
Broccoli and calabrese are often confused. One is the large headed variety. The other is a sprouting variety, with individual stalks for each flower clump.
Few people we know can remember which is which. So we won't confuse!
Broccoli is mentioned in cookery books as long ago as Roman times, when it grew wild. But it's commercial cultivation in Europe can be traced back to the early 1700s.
It's a pity that kids don't seem to like it, because it's a good source of vitamin C and many other vital nutrients.
If your little ones really won't eat it, it might be the texture - sometimes they find the flowers break up in the mouth and are hard to chew. Or it might be the way it's cooked... If it's too soft, it can have a slimey texture. If it's too hard, they might not enjoy crunching it.
For toddlers, try pureed broccoli with potato and cheese.
For older kids, you could try it in soups such as broccoli and Stilton soup. Anything to disguise the texture, but get them to accept the taste!
If that still doesn't work, then it's probably best to give up for a while, rather than making too much of an issue of it - otherwise they'll never eat it, just to spite you! |
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How To Choose |
Broccoli florets should be compact and green (or purple, if choosing purple sprouting).
If the flower heads have opened (to show yellow flowers), then it's been around too long.
The stalks should be firm. A rubbery one is a sign of an old broccoli. |
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How To Store |
| Store in the fridge for 4-5 days. Much longer and it will have lost much of its vitamin content and flavour. |
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How To Use |
Break the broccoli into florets.
Wash well - to avoid adding the occasional organic caterpillar to your dinner.
Florets can be eaten raw, as crudites or in salads.
If you cook broccoli, it's best steamed, to preserve the vitamin C. If you boil it, try using just an inch or so of water and covering the pan with a lid. This way you're boiling and steaming, so it cooks quickly, with less water and less vitamin loss. |
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Suggested Recipes | |
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| Broccoli & Kale Stir Fry |
This is a great recipe for a quick lunchtime stir fry. It uses broccoli and kale (or dark-leafed cabbage or spinach) because these are so rich in nutrients. It can easily be adapted to have a Japanese style, if you prefer.
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| Broccoli And Peanut Butter Soup |
This might sound like a strange combination, but it works really well. You can use mature broccoli heads or sprouting broccoli for this recipe – whatever you’ve got to hand.
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| Early Courgette Salad |
Early courgettes are packed with flavour and are a real treat, whereas later in the season you may be fed up with them! So here’s a recipe to help you enjoy them with in-season broccoli.
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| Romanesco Cheese |
Use your favourite cheeses in the sauce for this recipe. It's important that it has a good flavour, or it will taste bland against the romanesco. This recipe also works well with broccoli or cauliflower.
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| Spring Pasta |
Cooking spring / early summer vegetables lightly and serving them with pasta is a delicious way to enjoy the first signs of summer. This recipe is quick and easy and only uses one pan – always a bonus...
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| Spring Vegetable Quinoa |
Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wa”) is a South American “grain” – actually a seed. It’s considered by many to be a super-food, because of the balance of proteins it contains. It's easy to cook and delicious.
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| Sprouting Broccoli With Toasted Sesame Seeds |
This takes literally a couple of minutes to cook and tastes delicious. Stir frying is a great way of preparing fresh, young sprouting broccoli and the flavour goes really well with the sesame seeds and tamari.
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Got one? Send us your broccoli recipe!
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