When cooking fresh broccoli with long stems, rinse and clean the broccoli; cut off the stems. Leave the stems whole. Cut the florets into large pieces. If the stems are very thick, cut in half.
Stack the stems into a pot, layering and criss-crossing. Add water to cover the stems a bit.
Carefully place the florets on top of the stems. Bring water to a boil; then turn down into a simmer and cover. Cook until tender or whatever way you prefer broccoli.
If the stems are tough; peel them before cooking. I like to add a bay leaf when cooking broccoli, it gives it a good flavor.
If you have a steamer pot, you can add the stems to the bottom of the pot with the water and add the florets to the steamer insert.
This pages has been archived 2 times. You can view older posts and feedback below.
Tip: Using Broccoli Stems (10/28/2009)
How many of us have cooked broccoli florets and simply thrown away the stems?
Tip: Using Broccoli Stems (07/21/2009)
You don't have to throw away those broccoli stems. They can be cooked with broccoli flowers if you cut them into bite size pieces and cut an "x" in each end.
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Tip: Using Broccoli Stems
Archived on 10/28/2009
How many of us have cooked broccoli florets and simply thrown away the stems? Instead, slice those stems in a food processor and store in the refrigerator and/or freeze to use in salads or soups and casseroles!
Source: Trying to find ways to stretch the food budget and not be wasteful :-)
Great in all soups especially cream of broccoli, stir fry, for crunchiness, to serve with dips and many other things! I can't believe anyone would be crazy enough to actually throw them away! (07/21/2009)
The stems are my favorite part of the broccoli. Peel off the outer woody layer and they are great steamed or raw. Years ago, I told a friend about this and she later said that she and her son had started eating the stems raw while the rest of the broccoli was cooking. (07/22/2009)
Use the stems for a crunchy bit in your broccoli dishes, also use the leaves and stems in your greens, very, very healthy for you. You can peel the stems for a nice stick in your raw crudites. If chopped small, they will cook just fine. (07/22/2009)
One more way, chop fine for crunch in egg or chicken salad. I love them peeled and sliced and cooked with the florets, actually prefer to the florets, but if I don't have any celery I find that broccoli stems or even cauliflower chopped fine work just as well in salads. (07/22/2009)
You don't have to throw away those broccoli stems. They can be cooked with broccoli flowers if you cut them into bite size pieces and cut an "x" in each end.
Feedback:
RE: Using Broccoli Stems
I peel them and cut them into sticks. The kids love them. They are great for dipping into ranch or onion dip. (06/09/2006)
By Marta
RE: Using Broccoli Stems
A second in the food processor to shred them (raw) works great! I can mix them in my meatloaf or toss them in my salads or fritattas. Mmm! (06/09/2006)
By Carol
RE: Using Broccoli Stems
Broccoli stems shredded with carrot makes a great foundation for Broccoli Slaw.They charge for this in the markets! (06/09/2006)
By
RE: Using Broccoli Stems
Just curious -- why do you have to cut an "x" in the end? (06/12/2006)
By Kathy
RE: Using Broccoli Stems
I peel the outside of the broccoli stalks with a vegetable peeler and slice the insides up to use in stir-fry. (07/09/2007)
