Pairing different seasonings with broccoli creates a tasty and healthy dish.
You have probably heard that broccoli is great for you since you were a child, and it's true. In fact, broccoli has as much calcium gram for gram as milk does. It is a low calorie vegetable and is an excellent source of fiber, potassium and protein. The problem is, by itself broccoli does not have much flavor. If prepared properly, and seasoned correctly, broccoli can take on any flavor you want and is anything but bland.
Lemon Pepper, Garlic Salt and Thyme
Dried or fresh herbs can be used to dress up any broccoli dish.
The combination of lemon pepper seasoning, garlic and thyme is one way to spice up your broccoli and give it loads of flavor. Season the broccoli after it has been steamed or cooked, or cook the broccoli in a combination of spices. When cooking about 1.5 lbs. of broccoli, use about 1 tsp. of lemon pepper, 1/2 tsp. of garlic salt and 1/2 tsp. of thyme. Be careful not to add too much seasoning, as dried spices tend to have more flavor than fresh herbs. Melt in some butter to help coat the broccoli with all of the spices.
Marjoram, Basil, Onion Powder and Nutmeg
Because nutmeg is a warm, aromatic spice, it is important to use it sparingly.
More adventurous cooks may want to incorporate several unique spices into their broccoli dishes. One way to add tons of flavor to broccoli is to cook it in a pot of chicken broth. Use bouillon, broth seasoning packets, store bought or homemade broth. For about 2 cups of broccoli, use about 1/2 tsp. of marjoram, 1/2 tsp. of basil, 1/4 tsp. of onion powder and just a pinch of nutmeg. After draining the broccoli, use butter and lemon juice for an extra pop of flavor.
Fresh Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes and Salt
Many cooks use red pepper flakes to add a heat element to their dishes.
A more simple way to season broccoli is by cooking it in a pot of water with a clove of fresh minced garlic, 1/2 tsp. of salt and some olive oil. After cooking, you can sprinkle the broccoli with red pepper flakes to give it a little zip.
Cajun Spices and Garlic
Cajun seasoning is bold and spicy and combines numerous spices and herbs to develop the flavor.
An easy way to achieve spicy Cajun flair is by using minced garlic and a packet of pre-mixed Cajun or Creole spices. Cajun seasoning combines several spices such as salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder and chili powder. After cooking, mix the seasoning and broccoli together with a little bit of canola oil. For a full bunch of broccoli, 3/4 tsp. of the seasoning will be sufficient.
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