The Best Sauteed Garlic Broccolini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between broccoli and broccolini? ›

Broccoli has a thick, woody stem and a large, flowering head. Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli, and also belongs to the cabbage family. Broccolini have long, firm stalks (thinner and more tender than those of broccoli), a few small leaves and small florets.

You do need to trim off the very end of broccolini before cooking, which takes all of 20 seconds (I line up the stems and trim the whole bunch at once). Other than *maybe* this Roasted Frozen Broccoli, vegetable prep doesn't get much easier or faster than when you are cooking broccoli.

The best way to experience the health benefits of broccolini is to eat it raw. The stems, leaves, and florets are all edible. You can also choose to steam your broccolini and serve it as a side to complete a tasty, nutritious meal.

How Do You Reduce the Bitter Taste of Broccoli Rabe? The easiest way to rid broccoli rabe of some of its bitter flavor is by blanching it first. Just a quick dip in boiling water extracts enough of the bitterness and jumpstarts the cooking.

Fill a large bowl with 2 ⅔ cups cold or warm water and ⅓ cup white vinegar. Allow it to soak for 2 minutes, then dump the broccoli into a colander. Rinse the vinegar-treated broccoli very well under running water.

Broccolini will also have longer stems and smaller heads in comparison to broccoli. Broccolini is still a fairly new cruciferous vegetable, as it was invented in 1993 in Japan. Because of its newness and because it provides less quantity in a stalk, broccolini is typically more expensive than broccoli.

Often called baby broccoli, broccolini is a hybrid of broccoli and Chinese broccoli (kai lan) that was developed and trademarked in 1993 by Japan's Sakata Seed Corporation. And you may have heard of Tenderstem broccoli — that is just a trademarked name for broccolini.

It's mellower and less bitter than standard-issue broccoli, with a mild sweetness much more akin to Chinese broccoli. But our favorite part of broccolini is its texture. The long stems have a pleasant crunch, and the ratio of stem to leaf to bud is pretty perfect, if you ask us.

The ends of stalks are usually quite tough so trim off and discard about half an inch of the bottom of the stem. The rest of the broccolini is tender and edible. To ensure even cooking, I like to cut the stems lengthwise to make them a bit thinner.

Despite what you may have heard, Broccolini is not baby broccoli. This lanky vegetable is a hybrid first created in 1993. Broccolini a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has small florets, long stalks, and a few small leaves — all of which are edible.

Can you eat too much broccolini? ›

Broccoli is a healthy vegetable full of nutrients. However, eating too much broccoli can cause some side effects, such as: Gas and bloating: Broccoli is high in fiber, which can cause gas and bloating in some people. This is especially common if you eat broccoli raw or undercooked.

The verdict. Broccolini – by a hair's breadth! Nutritionally, the two brassicas are very similar. But the excellent vitamin A content of broccolini, together with the fact that it needs less prep and there's no waste, gives it the edge over broccoli for us.

Rich in folate

Just half a cup of cooked Broccolini^® provides nearly half of your recommended daily amout of folate. Here are some benefits of consuming folate rich Broccolini^® daily. Folate energises the mind and body by supporting psychological function and reducing fatigue*.

Like other vegetables, broccoli can harbor a host of contaminants. "It's important to wash any vegetables, as they can carry Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria,” registered dietitian Chelsea Edwards tells Southern Living. "Not washing your produce increases the risk of one of these foodborne illnesses."

Tips for Cutting Broccolini: Use kitchen shears: If you find it challenging to cut the broccolini florets with a knife, try using kitchen shears instead. They can make the process easier and quicker. Don't discard the leaves: Broccolini leaves are edible and can add a bit of texture to your dish.

If you have enough, you can cut them into batons or slices and sauté them in a hot pan with smoking oil, driving enough heat into their surfaces to get some browned spots. You could also pickle them in a brine, like the one I use in this quick-pickled asparagus recipe. It'll work just as well with broccoli stems.

For a mixing bowl, add 1 teaspoon baking soda to every 2 cups cold water. If your produce is on a vine, such as tomatoes, or leafy like a head of lettuce, separate the produce and remove all vines and outer leaves. Submerge the fruit or vegetables in the baking soda water. Let soak for 12 to 15 minutes.