How to Cut Broccoli: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

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How to Cut Broccoli: 10 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Cut Broccoli: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Cut Broccoli: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Cut Broccoli: 10 Steps (with Pictures)
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Broccoli are tasty, healthy vegetables that can be used as an accompaniment or base for many recipes, such as sauteed broccoli, with cheese, or au gratin. However, it can be difficult to prepare them before learning how to cut vegetables! An easy way to cut broccoli is to first separate the florets, which are the small trees growing from the stalk, and then, if you like, you can peel and cut the stalk.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Cutting the Flowers

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Step 1. Wash the broccoli thoroughly

Take the vegetable and wash it well under cold, running water. Run your fingers through the flowers to loosen any dirt or insects that might have been left on them, then towel dry.

Broccoli should not be soaked to be cleaned

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Step 2. Take the leaves off the stem

They have a high nutritional value but are rarely used in traditional recipes. Also, stripping the leaves makes the broccoli more even, creating a prettier result when you finish cutting the vegetable.

The leaves can be thrown away or used in a salad that you can serve as a side dish with the broccoli

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Step 3. Cut the florets under the "cup"

Use a kitchen knife or scissors to cut the flowers off the stem as close to them as you can. The ideal place for this is where the stem splits into separate "branches".

  • The flowers are the parts of the broccoli that look like small trees coming out of the green stalk.
  • Because of the thickness or position of the flowers, you may not be able to cut right the first time. No problem, you can fix the cut after you remove the stalk.
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Step 4. Cut the florets

Start from the outside and cut to the center of the "cup". You can also separate the flowers with your hands, but you may have to cut the stem later to make the ends even.

  • The ideal is to cut the flowers about 2, 5 cm before where they start.
  • If you're going to cook broccoli, try making them about the same size so they cook at the same speed.
  • If you're going to eat the flowers raw, the size doesn't matter and you won't have to cut them again.
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Step 5. Continue cutting the florets to the center

Starting from the outside, you'll be able to reach the center of the cluster of flowers, which will result in fewer small cuts later. Cut all the flowers until all are removed from the stalk.

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Step 6. Trim the flower stems to an even length

Using broccoli of the same size not only makes it more appealing, it also helps ensure that it cooks evenly when it's prepared for the dish you're making. You should leave about 1, 3 cm from the stem on the flowers.

Cutting too much can cause flowers to fall apart when cooking or handling

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Step 7. Cut the florets into smaller pieces

Large chunks of broccoli can make a great accompaniment to a meal, but when served on a plate, such as a stir-fry, oversized chunks can upset the balance of the mix. Take large broccoli "branches" and:

  • Cut the flowers in half with your kitchen knife or scissors. For smaller pieces of broccoli, cutting just once may be enough to balance the size.
  • Cut back the two halves of larger flowers. Very large pieces may need to be cut more often to get a better size.
  • Cutting your pieces to a uniform size will help them cook at the same speed.

Part 2 of 2: Cutting the Stem

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Step 1. Remove the inedible part of the stalk

The underside is too hard to eat, so use your kitchen knife or scissors to cut the first 2.5 to 5 cm of the stalk. This part can be thrown away or composted.

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Step 2. Use a vegetable peeler to remove tough skin

The broccoli stalk is similar to flowers in terms of nutrients, and is sometimes served in restaurants. However, you will first have to run the peeler through it in order to remove the outer layer of skin.

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Step 3. Cut your stalk into toothpicks

As this part of the broccoli is denser than the flowers, it will take longer to cook, so you should cut it into thin sticks, about the size of a carrot stick. Use your knife to cut vertically in half. Hold the two parts and cut again in the same direction to divide into four parts.

  • For very thick stalks, you can cut more times until each part is how you want it.
  • The process of chopping vegetables on a stick is called “Julianne style”. This is a common method of preparation, so you can read more about this type of cut.
  • You can also line up and cut the stems with your knife or scissors to make cubes.

Tips

The florets are a healthy and crunchy snack when eaten raw

Notices

  • Always be careful when handling knives, especially sharp ones. Cut with the blade facing away from you at all times.
  • If children are helping to cut broccoli, they should be supervised while handling knives.

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