Velvet

Steamed Broccoli with Lemon

Inspired by techniques from America's Test Kitchen and Food Network Kitchen.

Steamed vegetables · Broccoli · American

Broccoli florets and peeled stalk steamed for 4-5 min until bright green and just tender, salted and served with lemon.

Prep10 min
Cook6 min
Total16 min
DifficultyEasy
Per serving52 kcal
FreeGluten-freeDairy-freeVegetarianVeganNo added sugar
Servings4Recipe makes 4
Allergens (EU 14)
GlutenCrustaceansEggsFishPeanutsSoybeansMilkTree nutsCeleryMustardSesameSulphitesLupinMolluscs

None of the 14 major EU allergens. Always check the labels of the products you use.

Method

  1. 1

    Prepare the broccoli. Cut the florets away where their stems meet the main stalk. Trim off the woody base, peel away the tough outer 3 mm of the stalk and slice it into bite-sized pieces; split any large florets so everything cooks at the same rate.

  2. 2

    Steam until just tender. Bring about 2.5 cm of water to the boil in the pan, set the broccoli in the steamer basket above it and cover. After 4-5 min the florets should be vivid green and a knife should slip into a stalk piece with slight resistance. Steam cooks gently and evenly, so the florets stay firm rather than waterlogged.

  3. 3

    Season and serve. Lift the broccoli out straight away so it stops cooking, then sprinkle with the salt. Serve on a warm plate with lemon wedges for squeezing; the acid brightens the flavour, but add it at the table, as it dulls the green colour if it sits.

Storage

Best eaten straight away. Refrigerate leftovers covered up to 3 days and reheat briefly in a steamer or microwave until piping hot (74 °C), or eat cold in salads. Cool leftovers in a shallow container and refrigerate within 2 hours (within 1 hour on a day above 32°C).

Equipment

  • deep wide pan with lid
  • steamer basket or insert
  • sharp knife
  • tongs

Nutrition per serving (estimated values)

Per servingAmount
Energy52 kcal
Protein4.2 g
Carbohydrate10.2 g
of which sugars2.6 g
of which free sugars0.1 g
Fat0.6 g
of which saturates0.2 g
Fibre3.9 g
Salt0.85 g

Protein per 100 kcal

8.1 g High Protein needs ≥ 10 g

Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values