Broccoli is one of the most misunderstood vegetables, and it is disliked for its bitter flavour and stingy texture. Many children may also render it as their enemy and might separate it from other dishes on the platter. But the saying “don't judge a book by its cover” suits broccoli perfectly, as within its bitterness and stinginess, there lies a treasure of nutrients waiting to be savoured.
When cooked properly, broccoli can be a heavenly addition to your platter. As the broccoli florets cook slowly, its bitterness starts fading away, stingy buds get delightfully smooth and a subtle and more pronounced flavour appears.
This flavour can be moulded into countless recipes from main courses to delicious snacks and make every meal wholesome. It tastes exceptionally good when you're craving a light snack late at night and want to make something quickly. From roasted broccoli to cream of broccoli, learn what recipes you can make with broccoli for late-night satisfaction.
8 Broccoli Snacks For Late Night Indulgence
1) Smashed Roasted Broccoli with Cheese
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Broccoli florets smashed with the help of glass oozes out all the juices and makes the flavours concentrated. When baked, the edges turn delightfully crispy and the flavours get mildly sweet. Addition of cheese on top adds a layer of gooey goodness.
2) Sauteed Chilli Broccoli
Sauteed broccoli with spicy ingredients like chilli, garlic, and spices makes a warming recipe for late-night munchies. Sauteeing turns broccoli soft, and chilli adds depth to the flavours. Soy sauce and vinegar can also be added to give the recipe a punch.
3) Broccoli Wings
Replicating fried chicken wings, broccoli florets replace chicken and when covered with batter, breadcrumbs and spices, it gives a wholesome joy to tastebuds. These wings can be air-fried or baked to make them completely oil-free and offer a light snack treat for the night.
4) Broccoli Tikki
The light and crispy broccoli tikki surpasses any other snack with its unmatched wholesome goodness. It is made by blending broccoli with mashed potatoes, ground spices, green chilli and whole spices. Salt is added to taste and a thick mixture is formed to make circular tikkis. It can be either deep fried, air fried, baked or pan fried.
5) Broccoli 65
Crispy broccoli infused in amusing spices is a comforting recipe for late night dinner and snacks. It is made exactly like other 65 recipes—coating, frying then infusing in sauce. You can get creative with the ingredients of sauce to make it your way.
6) Broccoli Muffins
Vegetable muffins containing broccoli make a nourishing treat with a crunchy crust and soft core. You can add bits of chicken and egg to make it protein rich. Or keep it entirely vegetarian with several other vegetables. Top it with breadcrumbs and cheese before baking to make it crispy.
7) Broccoli Salad
One of the easiest and most delicious ways to enjoy broccoli is in a salad. It is a perfect no-cook recipe that requires chopping broccoli and mixing it with your favourite salad ingredients. Throw in some cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and red onion to make it colourful and flavourful. Drizzle some olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for dressing.
8) Cream of Broccoli
Cream of Broccoli is for when you crave something satisfying. For this, you'll need some broccoli, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth. Saute them and blend them to a fine paste. Add some vegetable broth and simmer the soup until it becomes velvety smooth.
These broccoli recipes will change the way you look at broccoli forever. Simple to make and packed with nutrition, these recipes are a must-try for everyone, from beginner to pro.