Did you know that broccoli is considered to be a superfood? Apparently so! I was just as surprised as you when I found out this fact because it had always seemed more of a torture food (pun intended) instead of something beneficial to me.
A quick Google search made me realize that broccoli contains fiber, Vitamin C, antioxidants, and even calcium. It aids with iron absorption and cancer prevention while keeping our bones strong and our blood pressure in check. Yes! That tiny tree-like vegetable that we all always hate is actually a superhero for our bodies. Yikes!
Having this information in my arsenal seemed like a precious weapon. It almost led me toward a healthier lifestyle. Until I actually had to pursue this by making meals that incorporated this veggie. It isn’t difficult to find delicious recipes with broccoli in them. However, it is quite time-consuming to make them.
When I consulted a friend about this, they recommended that I could try steaming my broccoli in the microwave instead of the stove. So, as a food enthusiast, I had to research how to steam broccoli. And in this article, I will present to you all that I found useful during my journey of loving broccoli.
Is It Safe To Steam Broccoli In The Microwave?
Microwaves are among the most convenient machines. This is a major reason for their regular use all around the world. Apart from the radioactive rays themselves, there isn’t much danger in using a microwave. But ensuring that you’re using some mittens and a microwavable container/dish is a good precautionary measure to take.
How Much Time Does It Take?
The steaming process doesn’t take very long. It will take at most three minutes but can easily be done in two or two and a half minutes. Steaming in the microwave is a short and convenient process that can help increase your broccoli intake.
The Best Method To Steam Broccoli In The Microwave
What You’ll Need
- A knife
- A cutting board
- A large microwave-safe bowl, dish, or container
- Microwave
Prep
The very first thing to do would be to wash your broccoli and cut it. If you prefer broccoli with the stem, then you can let that stay as well. Using a colander would be a great addition to the process as it can help you clean the vegetable thoroughly. Then cut the broccoli into whatever size you want, but it’s preferable to be bite-sized.
Steaming
The process of steaming will require a few important steps:
- Put the broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl/dish.
- Add water. Adding little water is always preferable. For a whole head of broccoli, 2 to 3 tablespoons are recommended.
- Cover the dish, or if you’re using a container, then tightly secure the lid so that no moisture or steam leaks out.
- Make sure that your microwave is set to high power. Depending on your microwave’s strength you’ll be left with tender and soft broccoli within two to three minutes.
- Remove the lid carefully, while wearing mittens so that the hot steam doesn’t burn you.
This is the best process to steam your broccoli in the microwave.
Tips For The Steaming Process
Here are some tips to follow to end up with the best steamed broccoli!
- Stir: make sure that you keep stirring the broccoli and turn it around a few times so that it can be cooked through.
- Water: don’t use too much water. If too much water is added, it will absorb all the necessary nutrients
- Time: don’t keep the broccoli in the microwave for too long. It’ll get overcooked that way.
Is It Healthy To Steam Broccoli In A Microwave?
Contrary to most of our beliefs, microwaving food doesn’t harm the food as much as other processes. Most of us believe that microwaving is a threat to the nutritional benefits of the food, but the actual effect is negligible.
When it comes to steaming, the effect is even lesser compared to other processes. Steaming in the microwave requires a smaller amount of water compared to fully immersing the broccoli in boiling water. Hence, fewer nutrients are leeched off.
Steaming in the microwave preserves the taste, flavor, color, texture, and nutrients in the vegetable. For example, boiling veggies preserves 66% of the nutrients while steaming in the microwave preserves 79% of the nutrients.
Does Microwave Steamed Broccoli Lose Nutrients?
Microwave is a process that reduces the loss of nutrition in food. Nevertheless, there is still some loss of water-soluble nutrients like Vitamin B and C. Fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K are preserved during the process.
How Can You Reduce This Loss?
Adding less water means that fewer water-soluble nutrients will be absorbed and wasted. At the same time, stirring the broccoli will make sure that the cooking process takes less time which will again reduce the loss of nutrients.
How To Store And Reheat Steamed Broccoli?
Storing and reheating steamed broccoli is a very simple process. Put any extra steamed broccoli into an air-tight box and refrigerate. You can refrigerate them for around three days but after that, they can go bad.
To reheat the broccoli, you need to put it back in the microwave at twenty-second intervals. You should check on the broccoli to ensure that it doesn’t burn between these intervals. Even though this process works and will help you prevent any wastage, the broccoli will be softer and not as good as when it was fresh.
Dishes You Can Make Using Steamed Broccoli
If you have already learned to steam broccoli in the microwave and want to take the next step in your new lifestyle, then here are some dishes that you can try. Not only will you impress your family and friends but you will also be able to make incredible food for yourself.
- Broccoli Quiche
- Salad Bowls
- Vegetable Breakfast Hash
- Shrimp and Broccoli
- Spicy Broccoli Slaw
You can also simply enjoy it with some dips as a healthy afternoon or late-night snack. There is no end to the list of dishes you can make once you have learned this hack. So get going!
Related Questions
Can You Use Frozen Broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli for this recipe. You can either defrost the vegetable first or simply increase the heating time in the microwave so that it gets defrosted and then later steamed.
However, when using frozen broccoli don’t add any water as the ice will melt and provide water. Also, make sure to keep checking on the broccoli so it doesn’t get burnt or overcooked.
Can You Use The Same Method For Other Vegetables?
Another yes! You most definitely can. The same method can be used for many other cooked vegetables. Do consult a steam guide before you steam any other vegetable.
Can You Steam Broccoli In The Oven?
Baking broccoli is a well-known shortcut for steaming. Though, steaming is preferred much more because of the ease and convenience.
Conclusion
With the busy world of today, we’re all trying our hardest to find means to take some load off our backs. When we don’t find these shortcuts, we begin to wander away from these habits to save ourselves from any extra stress. And after being blessed with the revelation of this hack, I felt so much better. A healthy time-saving hack that makes delicious dishes. What more could one want?
This process is efficient and very economical. Almost everyone has a microwave in their house and the basic utensils needed for this process. It will take mere minutes for you to create a meal or a snack. You can easily impress your friends and family with the skills and they would never even guess that a microwave was behind your delicious meal!
FAQ
How can I safely reheat cooked broccoli?
To safely reheat cooked broccoli, place it in a microwave-safe dish with a lid and add a tablespoon of water. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until heated through, stirring halfway through.
What is the best way to reheat steamed vegetables?
The best way to reheat steamed vegetables is by placing them in a covered microwave-safe dish with a small amount of water or broth. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Can I eat reheated vegetables without getting sick?
Yes, you can eat reheated vegetables without getting sick as long as they are stored properly and reheated to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to kill any bacteria that may cause food poisoning.
Is it safe to thaw frozen steamed vegetables before reheating them?
Yes, it is safe to thaw frozen steamed vegetables before reheating them. Simply transfer the frozen veggies from the freezer to the fridge overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
Can I eat cold cooked broccoli without heating it up first?
Yes, you can eat cold cooked broccoli without heating it up first if it has been stored properly in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. However, some people prefer their veggies warm so feel free to heat it up if desired.
How can I prevent my steamed vegetables from becoming soggy?
To avoid having soggy vegetables, you should steam them for a short period of time using medium heat. After steaming, immediately transfer the veggies to cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve their texture.
What is the best way to reheat leftover potatoes?
The safest way to reheat cooked potatoes is by placing them in a microwave-safe dish with plastic wrap on top and heating them on low heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I use lemon juice as a natural food preservative?
Yes, lemon juice can be used as a natural food preservative due to its acidic properties that help inhibit bacterial growth. However, it’s important to note that this method may not work for all types of foods.
Is it safe to eat reheated spinach?
It’s generally safe to eat reheated spinach if it has been stored properly and heated thoroughly at a temperature above 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure safety, use a food thermometer when reheating your spinach.
What is the best oil for cooking vegetables?
Olive oil is one of the healthiest oils for cooking vegetables due to its high content of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. It also adds flavor and richness without overpowering the taste of your veggies.