At the last minute, I found this week's Blogger Secret Ingredient on Chaya's Comfy Cook Blog. Being somewhat of a working stiff these days, I don't always discover the BSI in time to ponder, prep and post an appropriate recipe. This week, I found out Sunday morning of the closing date. That meant I had some time to cook and lunch to think about, so I did what any blogger in my position would do: I went out to buy some broccoli.
I know it's not everyone's favorite vegetable, but I love broccoli. I like to think it's because of the emerald green colour, the sweet taste of lightly steamed florets, and some sort of sub-conscious/pyscho-somatic appreciation for the vitamins and anti-oxidants. But really, I think it's because of The Enchanted Broccoli Forest, a favorite cookbook in my house when I was young. What child wouldn't want to think of her vegetable as home to a magical land?
Sadly, said favorite cookbook is still in my parent's house, so I had to use a more recent favorite broccoli recipe. I decided to post two versions because the basic recipe usually gets turned into the second variation (and, well, why not?). Broccoli is the perfect vehicle for strong flavors. When lightly cooked, its inherent sweetness provides balance to garlic and chili. The vegetable is a great side dish and ingredient itself, but is also hearty enough to be the main attraction. Plus, both recipes are dead easy.
So, without further ado, here goes:
Broccoli with peanut dipping sauce
Steamed or blanched broccoli
Sauce:
¼ C. smooth peanut butter
1 T. oil
1 T. minced garlic
1 T. minced ginger
1 T. lime juice
1 tsp. mirin
1 T. soy sauce
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
Blend or just mix well. Serve with broccoli.
Broccoli and soba noodles with peanut sauce
I like to eat this dish cold, but it is very tasty warm. I also like to make broccoli the star ingredient, so it's more like a broccoli salad with soba noodles rather than the other way around. Depending on the consistency of the peanut sauce, you may need to thin it slightly with a teaspoon of water (or more soy sauce/lime juice/whatever your taste buds fancy).
Cooked soba noodles
Steamed broccoli florets
1-2 T. peanut sauce (see above) per person
1 tsp. sesame seeds, toasted in a dry pan
Mix broccoli and soba with peanut sauce, thinning if necessary. Top with sesame seeds. Eat!
Serves as many as you have broccoli to cook.
25 comments:
How innovative! I have never had broccoli with peanut sauce!
Angie's Recipes
What a fantastic way to use broccoli. This has to be good. Thanks for sending it in for BSI.
oo that looks good! I might need to pick up some more broccoli and make that for dinner tonight ;)
Found your blog this afternoon...lots of good recipes :)
Funny how your profile says that you dream obsessively about "food and California"...I always dreamed of "food and England'!!
Stop by and pay me a visit soon!
mamascucina.blogspot.com
What a great idea! I love peanut sauce. I bet it's delicious both ways!
YUM!! I love brocolli,but especially with a sauce.
broccoli is my fav veggie ever! I love the idea of it fresh with peanut sauce to dip! And the noodle dish sounds so refreshing! Yum~
What a great way to use these ingredients for two meals! The sauce sounds fantastic.
i love your blog, because you are so healthy & creative. I hate broccoli though, i don't like any flowering veggies ie, cauliflower too. Though i ADORE spinach!!! I will make this for my husband tho, who loves broc & peanut sauce. yum yum yum for him!! hehehe
what a fantastic use of broccoli! they both look delicious!
Neat idea! I just the same sauce for my Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, I can use the leftover peanut dipping sauce for bite-sized veggies as an appetizer.
http://www.phamfatale.com/id_361/title_Bi-Cuon-Chay-Vietnamese-Vegetarian-Spring-Rolls/
This looks so good ~ you've convinced me it must be on the menu soon!
Thank you for sharing the recipe, beautiful photos, too.
Both ways look great to me. I love broccoli and I am crazy for peanut sauce!
mmmmmmm I love peanut sauces :) I make a mean asian slaw using one! yum!
i, too, think broccoli is pretty swell, but i haven't tried it with peanut sauce. it sounds interesting and scrumptious!
Angie: thanks!
Chaya: thanks again for hosting.
Karena: hope you enjoyed it. Just found your blog -- thanks for stopping by.
DeliciosoMama: ha! Food in England is pretty good, but better in CA :)
Reeni: agreed!
Green Ink: it's the way to go
B&S: both are so easy too...
Lisa: multi-tasking
Resh: I won't hold it against you! Thanks for the sweet comment, but I feel like I need to make something unhealthy now... I'm sure I can come up with something.
Teresa: thanks, and I enjoyed your latest recipe too.
Jackie: love spring rolls!
Mari: that's especially gratifying coming from you, mistress of beautiful photos.
Ungourmet: it's addictive, I warn you.
Steph: I have a good recipe also. You'll have to share yours!
Grace: scrumptious indeed. Now I just have to get some of your biscuits.
Definitely a new pair. Using it as a dip is perfect for an appetizer.
Mmmm, this looks great, good idea for lunch! I love your blog!
Oh oh oh I so must make this dish! I love broccoli and this peanut sauce is to-die for! Wow!
My husband adores soba noodles. Can't wait to try!
There's a recipe I saw in Vegetarian Times fairly recently: Broccoli with Wonderful Peanut Sauce, contributed by Mollie Katzen. I've been dying to try it.
Kristina
Sweetfern Handmade
I love any excuse to douse something in peanut sauce! Yum!
you are SO awesome for this recipe! I love broccoli, peanut sauce AND soba noodles. Especially peanut sauce...I always run out, but it's good to know I can make my own!
I love peanut butter sauce on almost anything and broccoli is a for sure success.
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