How To Blanch Broccoli To Perfection

_{Why Blanch Broccoli?}

Blanching broccoli is a crucial step to preserve its vibrant green colour, flavour, and texture. If done correctly, blanching maintains the crunchiness of the nutritious vegetable.

1. For Preservation: Blanching is often used as a preparation step before freezing broccoli. It helps to preserve the colour, flavour, and texture of the vegetable. By blanching, you can inactivate enzymes that can cause the broccoli to deteriorate over time.
2. Color Retention: Blanching helps maintain the bright green colour of broccoli. The brief exposure to boiling water breaks down the chlorophyll, which can cause the broccoli to turn dull and brown over time.
3. Texture: Blanching partially cooks the broccoli, making it slightly tender while still retaining some of its crunch. This can be useful if you plan to use the broccoli in recipes where you want it to be cooked further, like in stir-fries, pasta, salads, etc.
4. Cleaning: Blanching can also be used to clean broccoli, which may have come straight from the ground!

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_{Here is our guide to perfect blanching:}

Prepare the Broccoli

Start by cutting the broccoli florets off the stalk. Don't discard the stalk; check our website for creative uses (link).

Blanching Process

Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Season the boiling water with a pinch of salt.

Add the broccoli florets to the pot once the water is boiling. The blanching time depends on the size of the florets, typically 1-3 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the blanched broccoli from the pot and immediately plunge it into a bowl filled with ice water. Make sure to add plenty of ice cubes to keep the broccoli crisp and green.

Freezing Blanched Broccoli

Pat the blanched broccoli dry with a clean tea towel to remove excess moisture.

Arrange the broccoli on a tray and place the tray in the freezer. Allow it to freeze until solid.

Once frozen, transfer the blanched broccoli to an airtight container or freezer bags to prevent freezer burn and store it for future use.