Sides & Vegetables

EASY 10-MINUTE GARLIC BROCCOLINI

Every time I cook Broccolini, I wonder why I don’t cook it more often. It’s basically broccoli‘s tastier cousin. Because there’s almost no prep involved, it can be on the table in next to no time.

An easy recipe for sautéed Broccolini with garlic and red pepper flakes that's the perfect weeknight side dish.

🔥 Prep Time: 5 Mins. | ⏱ Cook Time:7-10 Mins. | 🍽 Serves: 4-6

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The best way to prepare it is also the simplest: Toss it in a hot pan with olive oil and lots of garlic until it’s vibrantly green and tender. It’s the kind of easy eating that will never grow old. If you’ve never cooked Broccolini before, here’s your gateway recipe.

What is Broccolini, exactly?

The vegetable, often called baby broccoli, isn’t just immature broccoli — instead it’s a hybrid of broccoli and Chinese broccoli. While the vegetable was only introduced in the early ’90s, it’s pretty easy to find it in most grocery stores these days.

How to Prep Broccolini for Cooking

What I love about Broccolini is how easy it is to prepare and how little waste there is. You simply trim the stems by about a half-inch and you’re good to go. As a bonus, one bunch perfectly serves two people, so it’s incredibly easy to shop for — just multiply the bunches depending on how many you’re feeding.

How to Cook Broccolini

Since the stems are pretty thin, Broccolini doesn’t take long to cook. Just toss it in a hot skillet with some olive oil and sauté until bright green. Add lots of garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes, then pour in a splash of water and cover until tender. After making it once, you’ll barely need to glance at the recipe again. Roasting is another method, as is grilling. You can even try making it with miso paste.

INGREDIENTS

· 2 bunches Broccolini (about 1 pound total)

· 1 tablespoon olive oil

· 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

· 1 teaspoon kosher salt

· 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

· 1/2 cup water

· Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Rinse the Broccolini under cool water and shake off the excess water. Trim about 1/2-inch off the bottom of the Broccolini stems.

2. Heat the oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the Broccolini and sauté until the Broccolini is bright green, and some of the stems and tips of the florets are lightly charred, 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Add the garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to sauté until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the water, cover, and cook until the Broccolini is vibrant green and crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges, if using.

RECIPE NOTES

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

   Cilantro Lime Rice

This recipe is genuinely foolproof if you rinse and soak the rice—just follow those steps, and you’ll end up with perfectly fluffy grains every time. It’s quick enough for busy weeknights and always impresses at gatherings, making it a reliable favourite, as it pairs beautifully with almost any meat, fish or shellfish dish that has a Mexican flair.

🔥 Prep Time: _5 mins. | ⏱ Cook Time: 10 mins. Rest time 5 mins. | 🍽 Serves: 4-6 

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Ingredients:

· 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

· 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, or other long-grain white rice. Rinsed till water comes clear.

· 1 clove garlic, minced

· 1 3/4 cups water

· 1 teaspoon salt

· Finely grated zest of one lime

· 3 tablespoons lime juice

· 1 cup lightly packed chopped cilantro (leaves and tender stems only)

Directions:

1. Take the rice and rinse under cold water in a bowl, giving the rice a swirl with your hands and repeat till the water is clear. THEN leave the rice soaking in cold water for 30 mins. (This is where you will be preparing the rest of your meal)

2. After the 1/2 hour, drain the rice well and heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan on medium-high.

3. Add the raw rice and stir to coat with the olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice has started to get dry. (approx. 2-3 mins)

4. Add the garlic and cook for a minute more.

5. Add water, salt, and lime zest to the rice. 

6. Bring to a rolling boil, then cover and lower the heat to simmer.

7. Cook undisturbed for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and let sit for 5minutes.

8. Fluff the rice with a fork.

9. Stir in lime juice and cilantro:

10. Transfer the rice to a serving bowl. 

11. Pour lime juice over the rice and toss with chopped cilantro.

Serve with chicken, steak, shrimp, Mexican or Asian food. 

It really is that easy, the secret is in the rinsing and soaking!!!