Randy Chandler
Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways to enhance its flavour. While cheese is a popular addition, there are several other ways to make broccoli taste good. Here are some ideas to get you started: steaming, stir-frying, roasting, or sautéing broccoli with various seasonings, sauces, or other ingredients like nuts, seeds, or fruits.
Let's dive into the world of flavourful broccoli, where cheese is just one of many options!
How to make broccoli taste good without cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking method | Steam, sauté, roast, stir fry, air fry, microwave |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic, garlic salt, thyme, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, lemon zest, orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, walnut oil, peanut oil |
| Add-ons | Feta cheese, grape tomatoes, almonds, cashews, macadamias, hummus, nutritional yeast, yogurt, mayo, dried cranberries |
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What You'll Learn
Use spices and seasonings
Spices and seasonings can be used to make broccoli taste good without cheese. For example, you can roast broccoli florets with thyme, garlic salt, olive oil, and lemon juice. You can also add lemon slices for an extra dimension of lemon flavor.
Another option is to sauté broccoli with garlic, salt, and pepper. You can also add red pepper flakes and lemon juice to taste.
If you want to make a stir fry, you can use olive oil, sesame oil, or peanut oil. Add in some soy sauce, black vinegar, and corn starch for a tasty sauce. For a zesty flavor, add in some orange or lemon zest and juice.
You can also steam broccoli and season it with salt, pepper, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and a little bit of MSG. Or, you can air fry it with a little oil and season it with nutritional yeast and garlic.
Other spices and seasonings that can be used include Dijon mustard, gochujang, paprika, and cayenne.
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Steam, roast, or sauté
Steam
Steaming broccoli is a quick and easy way to cook this vegetable while retaining its nutrients. Here are some ways to make steamed broccoli taste good:
- Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Toss with thyme, garlic salt, olive oil, and lemon juice.
- Top with or dip in cold hummus.
- Toss with feta cheese, grape tomatoes, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
- Drizzle with a sauce made from blending steamed broccoli, low-fat yogurt, chives or green onions, paprika, and fresh garlic.
- Sprinkle with nutritional yeast and season with garlic powder, cayenne, and salt.
- Toss with sliced almonds, a little butter, lemon juice, and a pinch of kosher salt.
- Drizzle with warm marinara sauce and top with a little parmesan or low-fat mozzarella.
- Toss with olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic.
- Top with plain tahini (sesame paste).
- Sprinkle with Dijon mustard.
Roast
Roasting broccoli in the oven can help reduce bitterness and is a great way to add flavour. Here are some ways to make roasted broccoli taste good:
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Season with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic powder.
- Season with olive oil, thyme, garlic salt, and lemon juice.
- Season with olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon slices.
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and dip in Worcestershire or soy sauce.
- Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, balsamic, and a little MSG.
- Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and dip in hummus.
- Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast.
- Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and squeeze with lemon wedges.
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and dip in cheese sauce.
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and dip in ranch.
- Season with olive oil, thyme, garlic salt, lemon juice, and top with feta cheese.
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and top with cheddar cheese.
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and top with parmesan cheese.
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and top with gochujang.
- Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and top with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries.
Sauté
Sautéing broccoli is a quick and easy way to cook this vegetable on the stovetop while retaining its crisp texture. Here are some ways to make sautéed broccoli taste good:
- Sauté with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, and season with lemon juice and red pepper flakes.
- Sauté with olive oil, garlic, and onions, and season with lemon juice.
- Sauté with light olive oil and crushed or chopped garlic, and serve over rice.
- Sauté with olive oil, bell pepper, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Sauté with sesame oil and green or red bell pepper.
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Make a sauce or dip
Making a sauce or dip is a great way to make broccoli taste good without cheese. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Tahini Sauce
Tahini, or sesame paste, can be used as a sauce or dip for broccoli. You can also make a tahini dressing by mixing it with lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic.
Lemon Vinaigrette
A simple mixture of lemon juice and olive oil can be used as a dressing or dip for broccoli. You can also add other ingredients such as garlic, red pepper flakes, or herbs to make a more complex vinaigrette.
Asian-Inspired Sauce
For an Asian-inspired sauce, you can combine soy sauce, sesame oil, a touch of black vinegar, and a bit of corn starch. Stir-fry the broccoli and coat it with this sauce. You can also add other ingredients such as garlic and ginger to this sauce.
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavour and can be used as a topping or seasoning for broccoli. Combine it with olive oil, salt, garlic, and lemon juice for a tasty sauce or dip.
Hummus
Hummus is a great option for a healthy dip for broccoli. You can also make your own low-calorie hummus dip by blending steamed broccoli, low-fat yogurt, chives or green onions, paprika, and fresh garlic.
Yogurt Sauce
You can make a chipotle yogurt sauce by mixing plain yogurt with lime juice, vinegar, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried chili powder. This sauce is light but adds a lot of flavours to your broccoli.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavours to find the sauce or dip that you enjoy the most with your broccoli!
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Add nuts or seeds
Adding nuts or seeds is a great way to enhance the flavour and texture of broccoli. For a simple yet tasty option, toss steamed broccoli with sliced almonds, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. You could also use other nuts, such as cashews or macadamias, for a similar effect.
If you're looking for a more savoury option, try roasting or air-frying broccoli with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and garlic. Then, sprinkle on some sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for added crunch and nutrition.
Another idea is to create a sauce by blending yogurt, mayonnaise, and roasted sunflower seeds. Toss this sauce with bite-sized pieces of raw broccoli and some dried cranberries for a unique and healthy dish.
For a heartier option, try stir-frying broccoli with sliced almonds, bell peppers, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. This dish pairs well with chicken or steak and can be made zesty by adding orange or lemon juice and zest.
Additionally, you can experiment with different types of nuts and seeds, such as walnuts, peanuts, or sesame seeds, to find your favourite combinations.
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Serve with rice or pasta
With rice
First, cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Then, you can either steam, sauté, roast, or blanch the broccoli. To steam the broccoli, place it in a microwave-safe bowl with water and cover it loosely with plastic wrap. Microwave for 3-7 minutes, depending on how soft you like your broccoli. If you prefer to sauté the broccoli, heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat and add the broccoli, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes. You can also roast the broccoli in the oven at 400-415°F (200-210°C) for 12-20 minutes, depending on how soft you like it.
Once the broccoli is cooked, you can season it with salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, or a combination of these ingredients. For example, you could make a sauce by mixing soy sauce, sesame oil, a touch of black vinegar, and corn starch. Toss the cooked broccoli in this sauce and serve it with rice.
With pasta
You can also serve broccoli with pasta. Try stir-frying the broccoli with bell peppers, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes, then adding it to your favourite pasta dish. You can also sauté the broccoli with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice, or steam it and toss it with feta cheese, grape tomatoes, olive oil, and red wine vinegar before mixing it with pasta. Additionally, you can chop and sauté the broccoli with crushed or chopped garlic and serve it over rice or pasta.
If you're looking for a more substantial dish, try slow-cooking the broccoli with tomato sauce or paste, basil, olive oil, and cinnamon. This creates a Greek-inspired flavour that pairs well with pasta. You can also add other vegetables, such as green beans and carrots, to the broccoli before slow cooking.
These are just a few ways to make broccoli taste good without cheese and serve it with rice or pasta. Experiment with different combinations of seasonings and cooking methods to find your favourite way to prepare this versatile vegetable.
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