How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave. Microwaves are suddenly having their day in the sun last week Mark Bittman gave them a thumbs up in the New York Times. We also posted this silicone microwave steamer from Orka that promises you quick and healthy food from the microwave even at the office. Weve been using the microwave for a long time, however, to cook vegetables quickly and easily. Heres the basics of steaming broccoli or any vegetable, really in the microwave. Cut up the broccoli into bite size florets. If you want to eat the stalks make sure to cut them smaller than bite sized and remove any really woody bits so everything cooks evenly. Put all the broccoli in microwave safe bowl and add water. We like to use a ceramic bowl. How Long To Steam Broccoli Cauliflower And Carrots' title='How Long To Steam Broccoli Cauliflower And Carrots' />How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave. Weve been using the microwave for a long time, however, to cook vegetables quickly and easily. Lemon juice gives a lift to this steamed veggie side. Place broccoli in a steamer basket set inside a pot of boiling water. Steam, covered, until crisptender, 35. How to Steam Broccoli. Broccoli is healthy, and it can be tasty and delicious too if you know how to cook it. This wikiHow will teach you how to steam. How Long To Steam Broccoli On The StoveFor one pound of broccoli about one head add 2 3 tablespoons of water. Cover tightly. We avoid plastic wrap when microwaving and use a ceramic or stoneware plate instead. Microwave on HIGH regular power for 3 4 minutes. Depending on your microwaves strength this should give you tender yet still slightly crispy broccoli not mushy. Try at 2 12 minutes first, then check, re cover and put back in if its not done yet. Remove lid carefullyTake the lid off so it stops steaming but be careful the steam is hot and can burn you badly if youre not careful. Sometimes we add a small pat of butter or a splash of soy sauce before steaming. We usually add salt and pepper after the broccoli has been cooked. Theres the basics just in case you have never steamed your broccoli or other tough veggie in the microwave. Its easy, quick, and effective plus its virtually foolproof. How To Cook Broccoli, 5 Ways. Allow me to present the humble broccoli beloved steamed side dish with lemon and butter, faithful team player to quick stir fries, virtuous add in to any number of cheesy pasta dishes. Party Dessert Ideas. Broccoli is the vegetable we reach for when we need a little something extra to round out a meal. Heres how to trim it down to bite sized pieces, along with five ways to cook it up. Ways To Cook Broccoli Watch the Video. Buying the Best Broccoli. When buying broccoli, choose vegetables that have a uniform green color with no major brown or yellowing spots. The broccoli stem should feel firm and the crown should be tight and springy soft stems or limp florets are a sign of old broccoli. Store broccoli in the crisper drawer in the fridge until youre ready to use it. Broccoli should keep fairly well for at least a week. Ways to Prepare Broccoli. Broccoli can be eaten raw, but blanching it quickly in boiling water helps give it a more crisp tender texture and bring out its flavor. Broccoli can also be steamed, sauted, and roasted. You could even throw long spears on the grill How To Cook Broccoli, 5 Ways. What You Need. Ingredients. Equipment. Pairing knife. Equipment for cooking. Instructions. Prep the Broccoli. Trim off the florets Slice straight through the broccoli stem as close to the crown as you can get. The crown should break into several large florets. Cut through the trunk of each floret to make bite sized pieces. Place these in a small bowl and run them under water to wash away any grit. Trim and slice the stem The main stem of the broccoli is entirely edible. Trim off any leaves or blemishes. You can remove the tougher top layer of skin with a peeler if you would like, but its not necessary. Slice off the bottom inch of the stem and discard its usually too dry to be very tasty. Slice the remaining stem into disks. Stems take longer than florets to cook, so place all these slices in a separate bowl from the florets. Rinse under water to wash away any grit. Cooking Method 1 Blanching. Prepare a bowl of ice water and have it next to the stove. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Add a heaping tablespoon of salt. Add the broccoli florets and cook until crisp tender, 1 to 1 12 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and plunge immediately in the ice water. Let the water come back to a boil, then cook the stems until they are also crisp tender, 1 12 to 2 minutes. If you would like softer vegetables, cook for an additional 3. Uses for blanched broccoli Vegetable platters, cold salads, frittatas, and other casseroles. Cooking Method 2 Steaming in the Microwave. Place the broccoli florets and stems in a microwave safe dish and pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of water over top. Cover with a dinner plate and microwave on HIGH for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the lid carefully and check if the broccoli is tender. Microwave in additional 1 minute bursts if necessary. Uses for steamed broccoli Side dish with olive oil and seasonings, warm salads, frittatas and casseroles, soups. Cooking Method 3 Steaming on the Stovetop. Fill a pot with a few inches of water and insert a steamer basket over top. Be sure the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring the water to a simmer over medium high heat. Add the broccoli florets and stems and cover. Steam for 4 to 5 minutes, until tender. Uses for steamed broccoli Side dish with olive oil and seasonings, warm salads, frittatas and casseroles, soups. Cooking Method 4 Sauting. Make sure the broccoli is as dry as possible you can skip rinsing under water if your broccoli seems clean. Film a skillet with oil and set over high to medium high heat. Add the florets and a big pinch of salt. Toss to coat with oil. Add the stems 1 minute later. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the broccoli is bright green and tender. Uses for sauted broccoli Vegetable sauts, side dish with seasonings. Cooking Method 5 Roasting. Heat the oven to 4. F. Make sure the broccoli is as dry as possible you can skip rinsing under water if your broccoli seems clean. Toss the broccoli florets and stems with a few teaspoons of oil and 12 teaspoon of salt. Spread the broccoli on a foil lined baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 2. 0 to 2. Serve immediately. Uses for roasted broccoli Side dish, cold or warm salads, pizza topping under roast slightly so the broccoli doesnt burn on the pizza.