To cook broccolini, one popular and easy method is to first blanch it in heavily salted boiling water for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender. Then sauté it in olive oil with sliced garlic and red onion, seasoning with salt and pepper, for a few minutes until warmed through. Optionally, finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving. This method yields tender, flavorful broccolini perfect as a side dish.
Step-by-step cooking method:
- Trim ends from broccolini.
- Boil in heavily salted water for 4-5 minutes until bright green and knife-tender.
- Drain and let cool slightly, then cut into pieces.
- Heat olive oil in skillet; add sliced garlic and red onion, cook until browned.
- Add broccolini, toss and cook until heated through.
- Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, or Parmesan as desired.
Alternative quick sauté method:
- Trim and halve thick broccolini stems.
- Heat olive oil and garlic in a skillet.
- Add broccolini and salt; cook 2 minutes.
- Add a splash of water, cover, and cook 3-5 minutes until tender.
- Finish with lemon juice.
Other cooking options:
- Roasting: Toss broccolini with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, then roast at 425°F for 10-15 minutes until browned and crispy.
- Grilling: Toss with oil and spices; grill 5-8 minutes, flipping midway.
Broccolini cooks quickly and is best when tender yet still crisp. It pairs well with garlic, lemon, red pepper flakes, and cheese for flavor enhancement.
