ISO broccoli recipe for PICKY eater

[oct2189]

My husband is absurdly picky. Only vegetable he'll eat (non starchy) is lettuce. Yeah, I know. It's one thing to make a 6-year-old eat veggies, but a 46-year old can't be sent to his room. I made a deal that he'd pick a veg at the farmer's market today, and I'd do my best to make it tasty for him. It would be easier if he weren't in great shape and athletic, but he thinks he's fine without them. He picked broccoli so please help me!!!

[Canice]

He thinks exercise and nutrition are mutually exclusive?

Of course a lot of people bury broccoli in cheese sauce or macaroni and cheese or such, but that doesn't sound like a good idea here. What flavor profile or types of cooking does he gravitate to? A stir-fry in oyster sauce might be good.

[oct2189]

Yes, he thinks if he works out, it will ballace out the lack ofd veggies (?) Asian flavors work for him, as well ans Mexican and BBQ. Thanks for any help!

[PattiA]

How about roasting it? A splash of olive oil. Some garlic or other seasonings that he likes. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness.

[mkc]

My DH absolutely HATES cooked broccoli, cauliflower, etc. He will eat them raw, and especially likes this salad:


Broccoli-Cranberry Salad

Salad
6 to 8 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-size pieces
1/3 cup finely chopped or diced red onion
1/3 cup dried cranberries
8 slices cooked, crumbled center cut or turkey bacon (or 1/3 cup Hormel low fat real bacon crumbles)

Dressing
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup fat free or lowfat plain yogurt or light sour cream
1 Tbs apple cider vinegar
1 Tbs sugar

1. Combine salad in a large bowl.

2. Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

3. Add the dressing to the salad and toss until evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let flavors blend.


Michelle

[tbb113]

I posted this broccoli recipe before and gotten favorable comments.

[sha]

Originally Posted by PattiA

How about roasting it? A splash of olive oil. Some garlic or other seasonings that he likes. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness.

seconded. we toss broccoli florets with olive oil, kosher salt, cracked black pepper, garlic powder (or minced fresh garlic, though i think the garlic powder distributes better throughout the broccoli), & dried red pepper flakes. roast for about 15 minutes on 450, just until the edges are starting to blacken & it's crisped a bit on the ends. SO good.

[ChristieinMB]

I've made this one several times to rave reviews. The broccoli is not overpowering. It is quick and easy.

Broccoli Casserole
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 1/2 cup plain yogurt
* 1 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
* 1/3 cup blue cheese dressing
* 2 eggs
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
* Flavor Pack from Ramen
* 6 cups broccoli, peeled stems and heads, chopped and blanched in salted water
* 12 ounces sliced mushrooms, Sauteed in 1 tablespoon butter
* 1 package chicken flavored Ramen noodles, broken up

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl combine mayonnaise, yogurt, cheddar cheese, blue cheese dressing, eggs, salt, pepper, and flavor pack from noodles. In a separate bowl combine broccoli, mushrooms, and broken noodles then toss together wet mixture and vegetables to evenly coat. Place in an 8 by 8-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with non- stick cooking spray and cook for 45 minutes covered. Then remove cover and bake for additional 15 minutes to brown. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

[oceanjasper]

How about the 'Green Pizza' that someone recently posted? It is pizza topped with broccoli and is apparently very good. Can't think of a better way to deliver broccoli to a veggie hater.

[HealthyinMN]

How about starting off with a dish like this?

Broccoli, Ham, Mac and Cheese Soup



4 ounces dry medium pasta shells
1 1/2 cup chopped broccoli florets
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup milk
8 ounces (about 2 cups) shredded sharp white cheddar
1 cup diced ham
salt and fresh ground black pepper

In a large pot of boiling salted water, add pasta and cook according to package directions. Cook pasta according to package directions. A minute or two before the pasta is done, add broccoli - drain well when done and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat butter over medium. Whisk in flour and mustard - cook, whisking, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in broth, half-and-half and milk. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low.

Gradually stir in cheese until melted and smooth. Stir in ham, cooked macaroni and pasta - cook, stirring, until thoroughly heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes about 4 to 6 servings.

[Aninha]

Another vote for Roasted Broccoli!! It is amazingly delicious and do taste different and way better than the simply boiled stuff.
Try it!
Ana

[oct2189]

I'm going to start with the roasted w/ garlic powder & olive oil, keep your fingers crossed for me. I've copied several to use in the future with briccoli and cauliflour as well.

[hAndyman]

One more dish to consider, oct2189; if you chop the broccoli fairly fine your dh will hardly notice it here in this tasty and easy kuchen, and the sauce is so flavourful that it really stands out as the dominant flavour.

posted by tigermorris@CLBB

Broccoli & Cornmeal Kuchen

("Sunset Complete Book of Low-Fat Cooking")
Kuchen is traditionally a sweet fruit or cheese-filed yeast coffeecake served for dessert of at breakfast, but this savory version is meant to be enjoyed as a lunch, or supper main dish. It's nutritious, easy to prepare -- and pretty, too.

3-1/2 cups broccoli florets (about 8 oz.)
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup nonfat cottage cheese
1 large egg
3 egg whites
1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
4 tsp. sugar

1. Cook the broccoli flowerets by your preferred method until tender-crisp. Immerse in ice water to cool and drain thoroughly. (or just run cold water over it in a colander.)
2. In a large bowl, stir together cornmeal, flour, baking powder. In a small bowl, beat cottage cheese, buttermilk, egg, egg whites, butter and sugar until well blended. Add cheese mixture to flour mixture and stir just until dry ingredients are evenly moistened.
3. Pour batter into a greased round 8-inch baking pan or quiche dish. Gently press broccoli decoratively into batter. Bake in a 350 oven until center of casserole feels firm when lightly pressed, about 30 minutes.
4. Let kuchen cool slightly, then cut into wedges. Serve with yogurt sauce, if desired.

YOGURT SAUCE
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. dry dill (or to taste)
1/4 tsp. ground cumin

Combine ingredients in a small bowl.

PER SERVING: 303 calories (27% from fat), 9 gr. total fat, 4 gr. saturated, 72 mg cholesterol, 390 mg sodium, 42 gr carbs, 3 gr. fiber, 14 gr protein, 282 mg calcium.

Andy's notes: I replaced the 3 whites with 2 more whole large eggs, using a total of 3 eggs. I've made it with buttermilk or mixed 1/4 cup milk with 1/4 cup yogurt. I add a pinch or two of salt and some fresh ground pepper. I put most of the broccoli in the greased dish, pour the egg mixture over top and then press the last quarter of the broccoli into the topping. I then top the kuchen with some grated old (sharp) cheddar before baking. The yogurt sauce is what really makes this dish so tasty so do try it. If using fresh dill I'd suggest using about a Tbs packed for the sauce, adding more if needed.

[meslgh]

If he likes Asian flavors, how about Broccoli in Garlic Sauce from Weight Watchers Take Out Tonight?

[Chocolate Rose]

This is a great recipe. It's the one that finally enticed my dd to to eat broccoli.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Broccoli with Garlic Sauce ~ 2 Pts.

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Vegetables

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons rice wine -- or sake
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 cloves garlic -- minced
1 pound broccoli floret -- (4 cups)

Combine the broth, sake or rice wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and sugar in a small bowl; set aside.

Heat a nonstick wok or a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until a drop of water sizzles. Swirl in the oil, then add the garlic. Stir-fry until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add the broccoli and stir-fry until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add the broth mixture and cook, stirring constantly until the mixture boils and thickens, about 1 minute.

Description:
"To make this dish a vegetarian entree, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth and hoisin sauce for the oyster sauce. For a protein boost and an extra 2 points per serving, add 1/4 pound of cubed firm tofu along with the broccoli."
Cuisine:
"Chinese Classics"
Source:
"Weight Watchers "Take-Out Tonight""
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES : The garlic sauce also works with fresh green beans, asparagus, or snow peas instead of broccoli.

[Valerie226]

I use a chicken stir fry recipe similar to the one Chocolaterose posted. I stir fry the chicken in a little oil/sesame oil and add in some precooked broccoli along with similar incredients to her recipe. I steam the broccoli separately to be sure it's done but not overcooked. He might be more agreeable if broccoli is combined with chicken. I serve it over rice or noodles.

[Jewel]

I'm your husband in female form...except I don't even like lettuce.

The only way I can enjoy broccoli is roasted! I don't even use olive oil, it can make it too mushy for my tastes. Garlic cooking spray, kosher salt and garlic powder or onion powder and roasted in a single layer on a baking sheet at 425* for about 10 minutes turned over halfway through cooking time. I can even eat cauliflower if it's cooked the same way!

[beacooker]

Would broccoli slaw count? I have an awesome recipe for an Asian chicken salad that is made with broccoli slaw and Ramen noodles. I can post tonight if you want it.