Print Options

Broccoli Stir Fry with Ginger and Sesame Recipe

Filed under Low Carb, Quick, Side Dish, Vegetable, Vegetarian, Wheat-free

Broccoli Stir Fry with Ginger and Sesame

Some people get chocolate cravings. I get broccoli cravings. Sometimes I think it's my body's way of telling me I've been laying on the bacon a bit too thick (or maybe the chocolate!) But honestly I could eat broccoli every day of the year and not get tired of it. Here's a quick and easy recipe for broccoli, stir-fried with a little ginger and sesame. The broccoli florets are quickly stir-fried initially, then steamed in a sauce of stock, sesame oil, and soy sauce. This quick cooking technique works best with the florets. Don't discard the broccoli stalks, peel them and slice them thick and eat them raw like you would a carrot; the raw stalks are great with dips.

What's your favorite way of preparing broccoli? Our everyday standby is steamed broccoli but we're always looking for ideas.

Print Options

Broccoli Stir Fry with Ginger and Sesame Recipe

Ingredients

1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1/2 cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian option)
1 Tbsp soy sauce (use wheat-free soy sauce for gluten-free option)
1 Tbsp dark sesame oil
Peanut, canola, or grapeseed oil, or some other high smoke-point cooking oil
1 pound broccoli florets, rinsed, patted dry, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cloves of garlic, minced (about 1 Tbsp)
1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger

Method

1 Toast the sesame seeds by first heating a small, stick-free sauté pan on medium heat. Add the sesame seeds and jiggle the pan so they spread out in a single layer. Let them cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes. Do not walk away from them while cooking, as once they start to brown they can easily burn. Once lightly toasted remove from heat and put into a small bowl, set aside.

2 Mix the stock, soy sauce, and dark sesame oil together in a small bowl, set aside.

3 Heat 1 Tbsp of peanut (or canola or grapseed) oil in a large, covered sauté pan on medium high heat. Add the broccoli florets, stir to coat the florets with the oil, Sauté for about a minute. Clear a space in the middle of the broccoli and add the ginger and garlic. Add a little more oil to the ginger and garlic (about a teaspoon) and sauté for half a minute, stirring just the garlic and ginger, until fragrant. Then stir the garlic and ginger in with the broccoli.

4 Add the chicken (or vegetable) stock mixture to the pan. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat and cover. Let cook for 2-3 minutes, until broccoli is still firm, but can be pierced with a fork. Remove from heat. Remove broccoli with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Return pan to heat, increase heat to high and boil down the liquid until just a couple tablespoons remain. Turn off heat, return broccoli to the pan, add the toasted sesame seeds, toss with the liquid. Put into a serving bowl.

Serves 4.

Never Miss A Recipe!

Enter your email address to subscribe to Simply Recipes: (more details)

Posted by Elise on Oct 24, 2007 and indexed Broccoli, Ginger, Green Vegetables, Sesame

  • Print (no photos)
  • Print (with photos)
  • Share on Facebook

Comments

My favorite: While shortly steaming the florets, I melt a few anchovy filets in olive oil with some garlic and black peper. Stir in the broccoli and serve.

Posted by: Alice on October 24, 2007 1:06 AM

I keep a few favorite broccoli recipes taped to the inside of a cupboard door, so the recipes are never far away. Two favorites: a jar of 'Asian stuff' that keeps in the frig, ready for broccoli cooked in the microwave, a broccoli salad in a light dressing with fruit. I love these 'every day' posts, Elise!

Posted by: Alanna on October 24, 2007 2:59 AM

My favorite part of the broccoli is the stalks (weird, I know). I like to peel them, slice them 1/4 inch thick, and stir fry with onions, soy sauce and a bit of chili paste with garlic.

Posted by: lydia on October 24, 2007 5:15 AM

I think my favorite method for broccoli is simply steamed , with herbs and topped with a butter-almond sauce (Broccoli almondine). Though I also love it stir-fried, boiled and mashed, turned into a sauce... Good lawdy but the list of things that can be done with broccoli is endless!

Now why haven't I focused more recipes on this stuff?

It's time to change that.

Posted by: Jerry on October 24, 2007 5:21 AM

That sounds terrific, I'm going to have to try it soon. I love broccoli, it's my 2nd favorite veggie after tomatoes.

My favorite stand-by for broccoli is steamed with a quick butter sauce. While steaming, melt about 4 T of butter on low in a large pan then add 1 t dried rosemary. Add the steamed broccoli (about 1 pound) to pan. Sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste and toss to coat. Cover and leave on low to keep it warm until ready to serve. Just before serving I toss it with 1/3 C shredded asiago cheese.

Posted by: Stacia on October 24, 2007 5:22 AM

Another really great photo. I love broccoli too, just about any way you want to cook it is fine with me. I'm always finding yet one more good recipe I want to try from this book!

Posted by: Kalyn on October 24, 2007 5:23 AM

The recipe you mention above is how I prefer to make broccoli but I also like to add a dash of the Sriracha sauce (aka the Kickin' Chicken sauce) to the final 10 seconds of cooking. We're a big hot sauce household, so spiciness just makes it better!

Posted by: radish on October 24, 2007 5:24 AM

I love broccoli too! I love it best in a pan of baked Mac 'n Cheese. I add it in with the noodles and sauce right before it hits the oven. The broccoli gets cooked in the Mac 'n Cheese. Fresh broccoli should be steamed just a little before going in the oven, frozen broccoli is ready to go.
My favorite Mac 'n Cheese Recipe:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/blackeyedpeas/r/bl30605l.htm
I cut the butter down to 3 tbsp and skim milk works great. That's always a bonus since I don't keep whole milk on hand.

Posted by: Lisa C. on October 24, 2007 5:45 AM

Yesterday, I discovered my new favorite way to eat broccoli: steamed, sprinkled with Frank's Red Hot. Odd, I know, but next to some BBQ ribs, it was amazing.

Posted by: Marie on October 24, 2007 6:27 AM

One slightly less healthy way that I like broccoli is in a slow-cooked format. Nancy Silverton's sandwich cookbook has a recipe that involves cooking onion, broccoli, garlic, and whole red chilies in a lot of olive oil over very low heat. She intends it to be eaten on a sandwich, but it is good as a side or perhaps even on pizza or pasta.

Here's a version of the recipe I found on the web: http://annesfood.blogspot.com/2007/10/long-cooked-broccoli.html

Posted by: Marc on October 24, 2007 8:10 AM

My favorite way to prepare broccoli is to roast it. Just toss the florets with some olive oil and salt, spread them out on a pan and pop them in a 425 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until they're crisp-tender. I first had them this way at Black Bottle, a Seattle Restaurant that calls it "Blasted Broccoli" on their menu.

Posted by: Dawn on October 24, 2007 8:31 AM

I, too, love broccoli, whether it is raw, steamed casseroled or whatever. For the last year or so, my favorite way to eat broccoli is microwaved and then splashed with a bit of raspberry vinegar.

Posted by: Doris on October 24, 2007 8:32 AM

I can't believe no one has mentioned the broccoli and cheese combo yet. Most of the time I stay healthy and stick to steamed with some garlic and salt. On those other days, I top the steamed broccoli with cheese. The type doesn't matter, cheddar is especially good, as is the mexican blend I get from the grocery store.

Posted by: Eric on October 24, 2007 10:06 AM

Yum! I love broccoli!!! My favorite way is to drizzle steamed broccoli with meyer lemon oil and add a finishing salt. But I am going to try Alice's suggestion with the anchovy filets. I bought some anchovy filets and had no idea what to do with them - now I know! Thanks Elise & Alice ;o

Posted by: Denise on October 24, 2007 12:44 PM

I blanch a small head of broccoli florets until tender, add to a hot pan with garlic cloves sauteed until golden in olive oil, then add about 1/2 cup of water, salt and chili flakes to taste. Cover and cook 7-8 minutes. It's garlicky, it's got a great velvety texture, it's healthy & pretty low fat.

Posted by: Claudia on October 24, 2007 12:49 PM

Blended broccoli soup! Throw in a carrot and a potato for good measure. If you have a plunger-style blender, this is very simple to make and tastes great with a little grated cheese sprinkled over it.

Posted by: Betty C. on October 24, 2007 9:28 PM

Mine is much like Claudia's, except I cook a handful of orzo in a separate small saucepan. Meanwhile in a medium saucepan I heat up in a few cups of chicken broth with some minced garlic, a teaspoon or so of sun-dried tomatoes(in oil), and a pinch of chili flakes. When it reaches a mild boil, put in tablespoon of olive oil, and then put in the broccoli that's cut into florets and the peeled and sliced stalks into the saucepan and cover for about 4 minutes, or until the broccoli is blanched and bright green. Pour in the cooked orzo and then pour into a shallow bowl and cover with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese.

Posted by: Vladimir on October 25, 2007 8:45 AM

My favorite is a no-fat version. To the water used to steam the broccoli florets, add some thyme, bay leaf and garlic powder. Steam the broccoli -- it picks up that combination of flavors and is good without added butter, olive oil, lemon etc. but you can add that too if desired.

Posted by: Lou on October 25, 2007 8:58 AM

I totally get broccoli cravings, too ... this recipe looks simply delish.

Posted by: nicole on October 25, 2007 11:18 AM

I DO eat broccoli everyday (practically). I have two faves. My first fave is: chopped broccoli with sliced celery and sliced water chestnuts, steamed in water and soy sauce. Then topped with toasted sesame seeds. My favorite favorite favorite way??? On pizza! The best quick dinner (and I have to preface this by mentioning that I am a graduate student) is to buy a frozen "brick-oven" style 5 cheese pizza, top it with a big pile of chopped FRESH broccoli before you cook it. By the time the pizza is done the broccoli is just barely cooked. Yum!

Posted by: gleekat on October 25, 2007 11:44 AM

.... and I have always thought I was the only one with broccoli cravings!

Posted by: Barbara Blandford on October 25, 2007 12:02 PM

Hi Elise,

I love Broccoli too. Most often I steam the broccoli with split baby carrots and dried lemon peel tossed in the pot underneath the steamer insert. I also have steamed it with salt free lemon spice that has lemon peel, black pepper garlic and onion.

I really like quiche of any kind. Broccoli and cheese is one of my favorites.

Broccoli is great for stir frys. I blance it lst to make it tender for me.. I also chop raw broccoli in small florets with other veggies and beef and chicken. Then each person seasons and cooks his/her own bowl in the wok.

Posted by: Linda on October 25, 2007 1:48 PM

A few months back, I wrote about broccolini cravings; so, I know what you mean.

Posted by: Susan from Food Blogga on October 25, 2007 4:19 PM

Oooh, ooh, me! Pick me! Seriously, I love broccoli too and I know just what you mean about broccoli cravings. I have two favorite broccoli prep. methods. One is from my favorite Chinese Vegetarian Cookbook, and is a crunchy and yummy stir fry of broccoli and mushrooms in a sauce. (http://bookofyum.com/recipes/showrecipe.php?recipe=1090)
And my OTHER favorite way is adapted from Rachel Ray- roasted broccoli in garlic, chili powder, spices and olive oil. It is Soooo good. (http://bookofyum.com/recipes/showrecipe.php?recipe=1004) Plain steamed broccoli is a little too plain for me usually, but I will try your recipes! They all sound good... And now I want broccoli for dinner!

-Sea
(remember me, the B in Mt. View???)

Posted by: Sea on October 25, 2007 6:55 PM

I love broccoli with oyster sauce and garlic. Yum!

Posted by: Amy on November 1, 2007 10:28 PM

I just cooked this tonight, and it tasted great! I love the sesame flavor, and the meal was generally healthy.

Posted by: Nina on December 8, 2007 9:12 PM

Post a comment

(Your comment may need to be approved before it will appear on the site. Thanks for waiting. First time commenting? Please review the Comment Policy.)

Link to this recipe

Bookmark this page using the following link: http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/006136broccoli_stir_fry_with_ginger_and_sesame.php

Do you have a website? You can place a link to this page by copying and pasting the code below.

<a href="http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/006136broccoli_stir_fry_with_ginger_and_sesame.php">Broccoli Stir Fry with Ginger and Sesame</a>