About the benefits of broccoli
This green vegetable is a bottomless storehouse of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It contains a large amount of vitamins C, A (retinol), K, PP, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, a number of mineral salts and vegetable protein. The product prevents the development or appearance of peptic ulcer, reduces the risk of cancer cells. Those who constantly consume broccoli significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, nervous system disorders.
In addition to the composition, cabbage pleases everyone losing weight with its low calorie content. Only 28 kcal per 100 grams. Therefore, the vegetable is suitable for dietary nutrition. In addition, there are many cooking options. The most popular: broccoli casserole, mashed soup, salads, meatballs, other snacks or a side dish.
How to choose and cook
When buying a vegetable, pay attention to its color. It should be green. If the inflorescences are yellowish, with a brown or purple hue - then it is stale. Also, there should be no flowers on the head. When a vegetable bends like rubber, has a bluish tint, this means that it has lain for a long time and is unsuitable for eating.
Cooking rules
- Heat treatment time. All the beneficial properties of "green" cabbage are preserved if cooked for no more than 4-5 minutes.
- Type of cooking. Broccoli can be consumed fresh, rinsing thoroughly in running water. Steam is cooked for about 7-10 minutes, and this is the most useful option. Broccoli casserole in the oven or in a pan is prepared after preliminary boiling the cabbage in salted water.
- Frozen product. Broccoli from the freezer does not need defrosting. The right amount of vegetable should be thrown into boiling water and boiled for 10-12 minutes.
- To the children. For children's broccoli puree you need to cook longer - 15-20 minutes so that the food is not heavy for the fragile digestive system and does not cause increased gas formation.
- Stems and inflorescences. If you use whole cabbage for cooking, then the stalks should be boiled first, and after 5-6 minutes, put in the boiled water the disassembled inflorescences and boil for another 3-4 minutes.
Broccoli casserole with cheese
The most popular option among many recipes is broccoli casserole with cheese and eggs. She is very satisfying. And unlike most dishes, it is delicious both hot and cold.
You will need:
- broccoli cabbage - 450 g;
- eggs - 5 pieces;
- cheese - 150 g;
- sour cream - 200 ml;
- butter - 30 g;
- »Salt, spices - to taste;
- nutmeg (optional) - to taste.
Cooking
- Disassemble the cabbage for medium inflorescences and throw in boiling water for 10 minutes, slightly salt. Cook over medium heat.
- Pour eggs, sour cream, coarse cheese, spices, and grated nutmeg into a bowl. Stir everything well.
- Lubricate the baking dish with butter. To prevent the bottom of the dish from sticking, sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
- Arrange the boiled cabbage inflorescences evenly in shape, pour the mixture of eggs and cheese on top. For a golden crust, put thin slices of butter.
- Bake in the oven at a temperature of 200 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Casserole with broccoli and cheese is ready. Enjoy your meal!
Duo with Cauliflower
Garnishes and soups mix cauliflower and broccoli well. Broccoli and cauliflower casserole can be cooked both in the oven and in the slow cooker. Both options are useful and each in its own way is tasty.Broccoli casserole in a slow cooker will turn out to be more airy, and in the oven - with a golden brown. For people suffering from diseases of the stomach or intestines, the option in a slow cooker or in a water bath is suitable.
In a slow cooker
You will need:
- broccoli - 500 g;
- cauliflower - 500 g;
- hard cheese - 150 g;
- yogurt (without additives) or yogurt - 150 ml;
- butter - 20 g;
- flour - 1 tablespoon;
- salt, spices (black pepper) to taste.
Cooking
- Disassemble the washed cabbage or cut into inflorescences and put in a container for cooking for a couple. Set the mode "Steam" or "Double boiler" for 10 minutes.
- Take out the cabbage and turn on the "Multi-cook" mode at 160 degrees.
- Pour yogurt into a bowl, sprinkle flour and butter. Cook with the lid open, stirring for 4-5 minutes.
- Cut the cheese into small pieces and add to the bowl without interrupting stirring. Salt, add pepper or spices. Cook until mixture is uniform.
- Put broccoli and cauliflower in a liquid mass. Stir well.
- Close the lid and set the "Multi-cook" mode, cook for 15 minutes at a temperature of 200 degrees. After finishing, let the casserole stand for another 5-10 minutes.
In the oven
You will need:
- broccoli - 200 g;
- cauliflower - 400 g;
- egg - 3 pieces;
- leek or onion - 2 medium;
- sweet pepper - 1 medium;
- tomato - 2 pieces;
- cream 9% - 300 ml;
- hard cheese - 100 g;
- vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons;
- salt, spices, pepper - to taste.
Cooking
- Divide the cabbage into small inflorescences and boil for 5 minutes after boiling in salted water.
- Rub the tomatoes on a grater, leaving the skin. Add eggs and cream to them. Beat the mass lightly with a mixer or whisk. Season with spices, pepper and salt.
- Dice the onion and bell pepper in small cubes. Lightly fry in vegetable oil.
- Add boiled cabbage inflorescences to them. Season with spices and fry for another 3-4 minutes.
- Put broccoli, cauliflower, onions and peppers in a baking dish. Pour in the prepared mixture.
- Spread grated cheese evenly on top.
- Bake the dish at 180 degrees for 35-40 minutes until a crust appears.
- Leave the cooked casserole in the oven off for another 15 minutes. Then take out and cut into pieces.
Chicken Recipe
Chicken fillet is used for the recipe, but to make the dish more juicy, you can take meat from ham or make broccoli baked with minced meat. Boiled chicken meat can be replaced with marinated in spices and pan-fried ham. Then the broccoli and chicken casserole will turn out to be fragrant and piquant in taste.
You will need:
- chicken fillet (or any other part) - 500 g;
- broccoli - 300 g;
- hard cheese - 150 g;
- onions - 1 piece;
- milk - 100 ml;
- chicken broth - 100 g;
- sour cream - 3 tablespoons;
- bread crumbs (yesterday's bread) - half a glass;
- butter - 20 g;
- salt, spices, herbs - to taste.
Cooking
- Boil the meat, disassemble it into long slices and put in a baking dish. You can also finely chop along the fibers. Lubricate the container with butter.
- Pour boiled water over broccoli sorted into inflorescences. Let stand for 5-7 minutes. Drain and lay the cabbage on the chicken.
- Dice the onions in small cubes and lightly fry in vegetable oil. Add bread crumbs, mix thoroughly and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Grate the cheese on a fine grater.
- Mix milk with chicken stock and set on fire. Stir constantly, add half the grated cheese. And cook for 5-7 minutes.
- At the end, add sour cream, mix and immediately remove from heat.
- Pour the resulting mixture into a mold on top of a cabbage with chicken. Then evenly distribute the onion and onion mass and fill it with the second half of the cheese.
- Bake in the oven at 190 degrees for 20 minutes until a golden crust appears.
You can use your favorite broccoli casserole recipe in winter and summer. The dish is useful for both children and adults. And another indisputable advantage is the ability to diversify boring side dishes, especially with such useful products.
Other casserole recipes
Curd casserole and apple pie
Oven and pumpkin cottage cheese casserole
Casserole with condensed milk and cottage cheese
Curd casserole in a slow cooker with semolina