How To Steam Frozen Broccoli In The Microwave
When you buy frozen broccoli, you’ll probably want to use it right away. But how do you make it taste good?
After all, steaming broccoli might not be the most exciting way of eating it.
What’s more is that microwaving frozen broccoli can make it soggy and watery.
There is no way to steam frozen broccoli in the microwave, right? Wrong!
With a little bit of research and experimentation, you can learn how to steam cooked broccoli in the microwave.
With this guide on how to steam frozen broccoli in the microwave, you won’t have to throw away any leftover broccoli again!
You’ll be able to cook your vegetables perfectly every time. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
For this recipe, you’ll need a few basic ingredients and a microwave-safe bowl.
You’ll also need a timer, a fork, and a measuring cup. A cutting board and a knife will also be helpful for preparing the broccoli.
Broccoli – While any type of broccoli will work, we recommend frozen broccoli florets. Make sure to avoid broccoli with added ingredients.
Water – You’ll need 2 cups of water for this recipe. – Alternatively, you can also use milk or vegetable broth. If you use milk, be sure to use low-fat milk.
Salt – You’ll need 1/4 teaspoon of salt. If you’re not sure how much salt you should use, start with less and add more to your taste.
Pepper – You can add a dash of pepper to add more flavour to your broccoli.
Step 1: Defrost Your Broccoli
Defrosting your broccoli will take the longest. Be sure to leave enough time for it to defrost before you want to eat it.
You don’t want to rush the process and end up with soggy broccoli. To defrost your broccoli, take out the broccoli from its bag and place it on a plate.
Place the plate in the fridge, next to your other foods, so that it is not taking up valuable space in the microwave.
If you don’t have the space in the fridge, you can also use your sink to defrost your broccoli.
Make sure to leave the plate in an area where it can drain properly so that it does not get water logged and soggy.
Step 2: Add Some Liquid
Broccoli has a tendency to get soggy when steamed. So, we want to make sure that doesn’t happen.
One way to do this is to add some liquid to the bowl. We recommend adding between 1/2 and 1 cup of liquid.
Too much liquid and the broccoli will be too watery. Too little liquid and it will be dry and gross.
We recommend using water or milk. The fat content in milk makes it a better option than water, but both will work.
If you’re using water, you can flavour it with a handful of herbs or spices like garlic cloves, bay leaves or dried basil.
This will add a nice taste to your broccoli without being overpowering.
If you’re using milk, add a pinch of nutmeg or a few cloves of garlic to add a bit of flavour to the broccoli.
Step 3: Place In The Microwave
Now that your broccoli is defrosted and liquid has been added to the bowl, you’re ready to place it in the microwave.
Cut your broccoli into large pieces so that it will cook evenly. Place it in the bowl, with the cut side down. This will allow the steam to rise up and cook the broccoli.
Place the bowl in the microwave. Set your microwave to high for the first minute.
Then, reduce the power to 50% for a further 3-5 minutes. Make sure to leave the door open when microwaving food so that it does not get too hot inside and end up burning.
Step 4: Give It A Shake!
Now that your broccoli has been microwaved for a few minutes, it’s time for a quick shake.
This will help to mix up the broccoli and allow it to cook evenly. After a few minutes, lift the bowl out of the microwave.
Using a fork, give the broccoli a stir. Put the bowl back in the microwave and microwave for another few minutes.
Repeat this until the broccoli is cooked to your liking.
How To Roast Frozen Broccoli
Broccoli roasted in the oven is a tasty side dish that takes only a few minutes to prepare. Broccoli needs to be cooked on high heat for a crispy texture. It can also be roasted at a lower temperature for a softer texture.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Select an oven-proof dish that will fit the amount of broccoli you want to cook. Pour some vegetable oil over the dish and spread it out evenly with a paper towel. Place the broccoli in the dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Place the broccoli in your oven and roast for 20-30 minutes, depending on how crispy you want your broccoli to be. If you have a grill pan, use that instead of your oven to achieve this effect. Broccoli will turn golden brown on each side while baking in the oven or grilling on a pan.
Step 3: Serve It With Salmon Or Chicken! Broccoli pairs well with fish such as salmon or chicken, making it a great side dish for dinner parties or dinners at home.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to steam frozen broccoli in the microwave, you can use this method to cook all sorts of vegetables.
Frozen vegetables are a great alternative to fresh vegetables. They are often cheaper and have a longer shelf life.
When buying frozen vegetables, make sure to buy them in bulk, so you can freeze them as fresh as possible.
Frozen vegetables should be cooked from frozen so that they cook evenly.
Keep reading to learn more about the health benefits of broccoli and how you can make it taste better.
Who knows, you might even come to enjoy eating your broccoli!