Quick Broccoli Side Dishes - Cooks Illustrated

Published September 1, 1997.

Tossing broccoli with a potent dressing or sauce delivers maximum impact with minimum effort.

The Problem

As vegetable side dishes go, broccoli is certainly appealing. It's available year-round and generally holds up well both in supermarkets and at home in the refrigerator. The challenge for many cooks is figuring out how add flavor.

The Goal

Develop recipes for easy-to-make sauces whose flavor is potent enough to stand up to that of this member of the typically strong-flavored Brassica family (think cabbage and Brussels sprouts).

The Solution

For instant flavor without fuss, toss uncooked dressings and sauces with steamed broccoli. And use potent flavorings that will stand up to the strong flavor of broccoli--chiles, ginger, garlic, citrus juices, and spices.

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