4 WAYS OF COOKING BROCCOLI TO REAP THE HEALTH BENEFITS

Green vegetables are quite beneficial for our health and consuming them provides several health benefits. Broccoli is one such nutrient-rich vegetable, which is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is particularly high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate, while also providing fibre and various other nutrients. Regular consumption of broccoli can support overall health and contribute to a balanced diet. This green vegetable is considered a powerhouse of protein. However, eating broccoli is beneficial only if you cook it properly and then consume. Broccoli can be eaten in many ways, like steaming, stir-frying roasting etc. Here are some of the ways you can cook broccoli to reap the health benefits of this amazing vegetable.

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Steam

If you want to use broccoli in salad or grilled, this is one of the easiest ways. First of all, place a steamer over a pot of boiling water. Then, cut the broccoli florets into pieces and steam them for about 5-7 minutes or until they become soft. Later, mix it with some spices and lemon juice and enjoy it as a salad.

Blanching

Boil water in one vessel and add ice water to another vessel. Put broccoli florets in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately put them in ice water. When it cools down, filter it and season it as per your choice. In this way, its crispness will remain intact and its colour will also remain the same.

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Roast

To preserve the taste, colour and texture of broccoli, you can roast it in the oven. To cook it, first pre-heat the oven to 180°C-220°C. Meanwhile, wash the broccoli florets and put them on a baking sheet with olive oil, salt and pepper. Fry for 10-15 minutes, making sure to turn it occasionally, until its edges become crisp and golden.

Fry

To fry broccoli, heat olive oil or butter in a pan on medium flame. Add chopped broccoli to it and fry for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add salt, pepper and mixed herbs and enjoy. This is one of the easiest ways to cook broccoli. You can also add your favourite veggies along with it to make it a delicious dish.

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Tips to increase broccoli nutrition

Consuming broccoli with healthy fats like olive oil or avocado can increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin K. Also, adding lemon juice to cooked broccoli can help preserve its vitamin C content due to its antioxidant properties.

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