30 Min
GF
Cardamom Roasted Broccolini
More so than other vegetables, broccoli or broccolini needs to be cooked just right to be served at its best. For example, okra or green beans may not look pretty when overcooked but tastes just fine. Broccoli is better slightly undercooked than overcooked because the later can result in a soggy dish devoid of flavor, which is why roasting or grilling it guarantees good results. It took me a few tries to realize that it was the strong brassica smell of the broccoli that my taste buds subconsciously objected to. Now, I always cook broccoli with something fragrant, least of all garlic but usually an aromatic spice like cardamom, nutmeg, or mace. A quick little grating of nutmeg at the end, or the spears tossed with cardamom, black pepper and olive oil can transform broccoli. A squeeze of lemon or orange juice at the end can add even more fragrance and a smear of yogurt on the bottom can add a creamy luxurious finish.
More so than other vegetables, broccoli or broccolini needs to be cooked just right to be served at its best. For example, okra or green beans may not look pretty when overcooked but tastes just fine. Broccoli is better slightly undercooked than overcooked because the later can result in a soggy dish devoid of flavor, which is why roasting or grilling it guarantees good results. It took me a few tries to realize that it was the strong brassica smell of the broccoli that my taste buds subconsciously objected to. Now, I always cook broccoli with something fragrant, least of all garlic but usually an aromatic spice like cardamom, nutmeg, or mace. A quick little grating of nutmeg at the end, or the spears tossed with cardamom, black pepper and olive oil can transform broccoli. A squeeze of lemon or orange juice at the end can add even more fragrance and a smear of yogurt on the bottom can add a creamy luxurious finish.
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Serves
4
Directions
Step 1
Discard the bottom inch of the broccolini stems and toss the remaining with salt, pepper, cardamom, and olive oil. Spread over a hot backyard grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Alternately preheat the oven to broil and lay the broccolini flat on a small baking pan and cook just until the vegetable is bright green and has a little bit of char ~ approximately 5 minutes.
Step 2
To serve, combine a cup of plain yogurt with salt and spread it over the bottom of a platter. Lay the broccolini over it, squeeze the juice of a lime and sprinkle with toasted almonds and pomegranate seeds and serve.
Notes & Variations
- The inside seeds of the green cardamom pod can be purchased separately. These do not need to toasted and once ground, will keep for a month or two in a dark spot away from light. To grind, use a small coffee grinder.
- Instead of yogurt, use a cup of hummus or tahini to serve the broccolini with.
Ingredients
2 bunches broccolini
1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon ground green cardamom
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup plain thick yogurt
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Few pomegranate seeds
A tablespoon of sliced toasted almonds
Juice of one lime
Step 1
Discard the bottom inch of the broccolini stems and toss the remaining with salt, pepper, cardamom, and olive oil. Spread over a hot backyard grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Alternately preheat the oven to broil and lay the broccolini flat on a small baking pan and cook just until the vegetable is bright green and has a little bit of char ~ approximately 5 minutes.
Step 2
To serve, combine a cup of plain yogurt with salt and spread it over the bottom of a platter. Lay the broccolini over it, squeeze the juice of a lime and sprinkle with toasted almonds and pomegranate seeds and serve.
2 bunches broccolini
1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon ground green cardamom
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup plain thick yogurt
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Few pomegranate seeds
A tablespoon of sliced toasted almonds
Juice of one lime
Notes & Variations
- The inside seeds of the green cardamom pod can be purchased separately. These do not need to toasted and once ground, will keep for a month or two in a dark spot away from light. To grind, use a small coffee grinder.
- Instead of yogurt, use a cup of hummus or tahini to serve the broccolini with.
Tags:
30 Min
GF
Stock Your Pantry
Aromatic Masala Dabba
$250
A handmade spice box containing chai masala, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, whole black peppercorns, whole green cardamom pods with a few black cardamom pods, garam masala, mace pods and nutmeg.
Essential Masala Dabba
$235
A handmade spice box containing red chile, turmeric, black pepper, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, amchur and garam masala.
Tags:
30 Min
GF
Stock Your Pantry
Aromatic Masala Dabba
$250
Essential Masala Dabba
$235
What's a better topping than sliced almonds?
Enjoy them in the dishes below!
HAPPY CRUNCHING
