Is eating healthy the bane of your existence? Has this one factor always kept you restless? Well, that is how I have felt on many occasions as I ate helpings over helpings of junk food. And do you, like me, consider broccoli to be a tiny tree monster that you want to run away from no matter what? But did you know the importance of this veggie in our lives?
One day as I was scrolling down long steams of articles over the internet, I found one that talked about the importance of broccoli. And let me tell you it is truly a rockstar! It aids with iron absorption, cancer prevention, and bone strength, apart from other numerous benefits.
Carrying this valuable information with me, I decided to search for easy recipes to make with broccoli and I found out that you can actually microwave broccoli. Can it get any easier than this? Here is all you need to know before you microwave broccoli.
Benefits of Microwaving Broccoli
- Convenience: Technology was created for the ease of humans. And there is nothing more convenient than using a microwave. All you need to do is push a button, wait, and boom! Nice, warm food that is ready to be devoured.
- Safety: Microwaving is just as safe as it is convenient. Though making sure that you’re wearing baking mittens could prevent you from getting burnt.
- Time: Microwaving your broccoli is an easy, hassle-free process that will give you well-cooked, tender broccoli at the end. It takes around 3 to 4 minutes and saves you from the trouble of using a stove.
How To Microwave The Broccoli?
What You Need To Begin
- A knife
- A cutting board
- A microwave-safe bowl, container, or dish
- A microwave
Process
First, wash your broccoli and cut it into smaller pieces. You can cut it into smaller or larger pieces according to your liking and even keep the stems of the broccoli if that’s how you like it better. Using a colander for this process will be a huge help and will let you clean the broccoli thoroughly.
Next, you’ll need to place your broccoli into a microwave-safe container. You can add as much broccoli as you think is appropriate according to the size of your container (or your appetite, no judging!). Now add a little bit of water, around 2 to 3 tablespoons will work.
Cover the dish with a plate. If you’re using a container, then tightly secure the lid. Make sure your microwave is on high power. It will take around 3 to 4 minutes to get the broccoli fully cooked. Now you can carefully remove the lid making sure you don’t burn yourself. And voila! You have tender and yummy broccoli that can be used in whatever dish you want to make.
Tips To Help You While Microwaving
- Stir: If you want your broccoli to be cooked evenly through then this is a very important step. It ensures that the broccoli is properly cooked on both sides and that one side doesn’t get too much heat.
- Water: Adding a small amount of water at the very beginning is another key step that you should follow. If you later see the water drying out before the cooking process is complete, then you can add a little more later.
- Time: You shouldn’t keep the broccoli in for too long as it can overcook making the broccoli inedible. Or even burnt. So being patient is also a key ingredient in this process.
- No Airtight Containers, PLEASE: It is important not to use an airtight container as the steam inside it can be highly dangerous. If you don’t have any other option, then you can poke tiny holes in the lid using a knife or a fork.
Is It Healthy To Microwave Broccoli?
Contrary to widespread belief, microwaving your food doesn’t harm your food as much as other processes. This is because a very slight amount of water is used compared to stove-top cooking that fully immerses the broccoli in boiling water. The more water is used in the process, the fewer nutrients will remain in the broccoli.
Cooking in the microwave preserves the taste, flare, color, and texture of the broccoli. Microwave is the better mode of cooking vegetables. While boiling veggies preserves only 66% of the nutrients, microwaving them preserves 79%.
Microwaving actually reduces the loss of nutrition in food. The factors that affect the loss of nutrients in food are time, temperature, and the amount of moisture in the food. And the microwave provides optimal conditions for all these three factors.
Nonetheless, there is some loss of water-soluble nutrients like Vitamins B and C that get absorbed in the water and are wasted. Fat-soluble nutrients like Vitamins A, D, E, and K are preserved while microwaving.
This loss can be reduced by taking a few easy steps. Firstly, you should reduce the amount of water you’re using because less water means less loss of nutrients. Secondly, you can keep stirring the broccoli as then the process will take less time.
How To Store And Reheat Microwaved Broccoli?
Just like the rest of the microwaving process, storing and reheating is also a very easy process. You can put any leftover broccoli into an air-tight container and refrigerate it. The broccoli can be refrigerated for three days but after that, it will go bad.
To reheat the broccoli, put it in the microwave for twenty-second intervals. You will need to check on the broccoli between these intervals and make sure that it doesn’t burn. While this process is very simple and easy, keep in mind that the broccoli won’t be as tasty and fresh as it was before.
Dishes You Can Make Using Microwaved Broccoli
The most simple way to use these broccolis would be by seasoning them. You can season them with salt and pepper or even other spices you like.
- You can also serve them with a dip you really like and enjoy them as a healthy snack.
- Making a breakfast hash is a great way to add these delicacies into your diet.
- You can add them to your salad bowl to make it even more nutritional.
- Eat them as a side with steaks, shrimp, fish, etc.
These are just some of the things you can make using microwaved broccoli. You can find so many more through a single Google search.
Related Questions
Can You Microwave Frozen Broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli as well. There are two options, you can either defrost the broccoli manually or defrost it in the microwave. If you’re opting for the latter, then adding extra water won’t be necessary as the ice on the broccoli will melt to provide water.
Can You Add Flavors To The Broccoli?
For all the people who don’t like the taste of broccoli and all the parents whose kids hate the veggie, you can add flavor to enhance the taste to your liking. You can use garlic butter, cheese powder, or any other dressing.
Can You Microwave Broccoli Without Water?
Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Broccolis contains ninety percent water so you can repeat the same process as told above, without any water, and still end up with gorgeous green broccoli.
How can I steam broccoli in the microwave using a microwave safe bowl?
To steam broccoli in the microwave, place fresh broccoli florets in a microwave safe bowl with a small amount of water. Cover the bowl with a microwave safe plate and cook on high for 2-4 minutes until tender.
What is the best way to cook broccoli in the microwave?
The best way to cook broccoli in the microwave is by steaming it. Place fresh broccoli florets in a microwave safe bowl with a small amount of water and cover with a microwave safe plate. Cook on high for 2-4 minutes until tender.
Can I use any type of plate to cover my microwaved steamed broccoli?
No, you should only use a microwave safe plate when covering your microwaved steamed broccoli. Using an unsafe plate could cause it to shatter or release harmful chemicals into your food.
What are some tips for cooking perfect microwaved steamed broccoli?
To ensure perfectly cooked microwaved steamed broccoli, make sure to use fresh broccoli florets and a properly sized, vented, and covered container such as a microwave-safe bowl or dish. Add just enough water to create steam but not so much that it covers the vegetables completely.
Do you have any easy recipes for cooking Broccoli in the Microwave?
Yes! An easy recipe for cooking Broccoli in the Microwave involves placing fresh Broccoli Florets into A Microwave Safe Bowl along With A Small Amount Of Water And Cooking On High For 2-4 Minutes Until Tender.
How can I steam broccoli without losing its nutrients?
To preserve the nutrients in fresh broccoli florets, you can steam them for a few minutes until they turn bright green. You can use a steamer basket or place chopped broccoli in a microwave-safe dish with some water and cover it before microwaving it.
What are some ways to enhance the flavor of steamed vegetables?
You can add melted butter or olive oil to your steamed vegetables for added richness and depth of flavor. Another option is to drizzle soy sauce or lemon juice over your cooked broccoli for an Asian-inspired twist.
How many servings and calories are in a typical bowl of steamed vegetables?
The number of servings and calories will depend on the amount and type of vegetables used. As a general rule, one cup of cooked broccoli contains around 55 calories, so you can adjust accordingly based on your desired serving size.
What are some easy microwave recipes using fresh broccoli florets?
One simple recipe is to place chopped broccoli in a microwave-safe dish with some water, cover it, and cook on high for 2-4 minutes until tender but still crisp. You could also try tossing the cooked broccoli with melted butter or olive oil and seasoning it with salt and pepper.
Is there any difference between cooking methods when it comes to nutrient retention in vegetables?
Steaming vegetables is generally considered one of the best methods for preserving their nutrients since they don’t come into contact with boiling water that could leach out vitamins and minerals. However, microwaving veggies like fresh broccoli florets may be just as effective at retaining their nutritional value if done correctly.
Conclusion
So to sum it up, microwaves are a blessing to humankind. No really! Because now that I’ve learned this process. I don’t know if I can cook broccoli traditionally, over the stove. Everyone loves a good shortcut and this is by far my favorite one. Not only is it economical but is also efficient. It makes delicious and tender broccoli in absolutely no time at all.
Now you can impress your friends and families with various healthy meals and leave them wondering how this is possible? How you can manage your routine and also create such healthy and delicious food? Only we know the answer to this! Go microwaves!