Green Beans Blanching
Ingredient List
1 lb. broccoli crowns or florets
1 gallon hot water
1 Tbsp. salt
Ice water, as needed
CHEF NOTES
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You can use this technique for other green vegetables like green beans, kale and Swiss chard.
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Cooking too long will make green vegetables turn "Army" green (grey/green). So, you must have water boiling before adding vegetables, don’t cover, and “shock” the vegetable in ice water to lock in bright green color.
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Blanched broccoli is easy to eat as a snack, use with pasta or casseroles or divide up & season and warm up in microwave for meals
Steps to Prepare
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Use pot large enough so broccoli fills it no more than half way. Do in batches if needed. Add water to pot to fill it to 3/4 full. Add salt and bring water up to a rolling boil (you can cover pot for this stage)
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For broccoli crowns, trim ends and cut through stem so they will cook evenly. For florets, just cut larger pieces into smaller florets (see below). Have large bowl or container ready. Fill 1/2 full with ice and water BEFORE putting broccoli into water. (see below).
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Place broccoli into boiling water. Stir to make sure broccoli is completely covered and separated in water.
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DO NOT COVER ONCE BROCCOLI IS IN WATER!
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4. Keep on high heat. Allow water to return to a boil. Cook until bright green and
thick parts are tender but firm (about 5-min). When ready, remove broccoli and
submerge in the ice water. Stir to “shock” the broccoli and chill through
(again, about 5-min).
5. When completely chilled, remove and shake dry or spin in a salad spinner to
get off excess water.
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If doing a lot of broccoli, keep water boiling and do in stages so it is not crowded in the water. Add more ice as needed to shock.
Sauteed Green Beans
Ingredient List
1 lb. broccoli crowns or florets (raw)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. ranch OR chicken seasoning
Steps to Prepare
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Preheat oven to 400F.
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Cut broccoli into florets if they are big (see video to see how to do this).
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Place in zip lock baggie.
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Add oil and toss to coat evenly, then add seasoning and toss to coat.
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Spread broccoli onto a cookie / sheet pan and put in oven.
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Roast until tops of florets start to brown and thick part of stem is tender
CHEF NOTES
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If you want the broccoli to be more tender (and brighter green) than do this recipe and use blanched broccoli. Watch the "Blanching Broccoli" recipe above in this section.
Microwave Green Beans
Ingredient List
1 lb. broccoli crowns or florets (raw)
1 Tbsp ranch OR chicken seasoning
CHEF NOTES
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Cut broccoli into florets if they are too big. Place in microwave container with lid or in zip lock baggie.
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Add seasoning and toss to coat evenly.
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Crack the lid open or leave a small end of the baggie open to allow steam to build up but not burst the container.
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Set microwave to 90 seconds (1-1/2 minutes) and cook on high. Carefully remove and shake and return to microwave for another 90 seconds*
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Be careful when opening as there is usually steam built up and it will burn you!
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Be careful when opening as there is usually steam built up and it will burn you!
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* Microwaves differ so you may need more or less time on the 2nd cook timing