Thursday, January 8, 2009

Broccoli-Channadal Stir-Fry

Broccoli belongs to cabbage family. They look very similar to cauliflower, except they are green in color. Broccolis are rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin K, has a soluble fiber which is very good for health. I have been using this vegetable for cooking for the last 2-3 years, but have known of them for much longer. More about Broccoli here.

I was introduced to Broccoli in a restaurant long back. I had ordered a Mexican dish which came with a side order of Raw Broccoli, so I said to the waiter 'No broccoli' on the side, but when I got my dish I could only see Broccoli on it, then I realized that she might have heard it as "more broccoli instead of no broccoli ". It was the first time I tried to taste it and obviously didn't like it. But I couldn't stop laughing about it :).

After that I really just didn't want to cook with it. Within the last couple of years I realized its very good for health and started to used it little by little with the vegetables curies I make. To my surprise it really tastes good. It was not broccoli I was turned off by, it was the way it was presented (big raw pieces). Now I use them on regular basis, along with its stems (I like the stems).

If you don't like to eat them raw like me, best way to use them are by steaming them or by stir frying them.

Here is the Recipe of stir-fry/dry curry .

Ingredients
  • Broccoli - 1 medium head (including steams)
  • Onion - 1 medium size
  • Small Lentils- 1/2 cup ( i have used split Channa Dal, any quick cooking lentils can be used)
For Tempering : Oil - 1 tbs and mustard or cumin seeds - 1tsp.

Spices : Red chili Powder - 1tsp ( less or more according to desired spice level)
Garnish
  • Cilantro/coriander leaves - washed and chopped about 2 tbsp
  • Lemon/lime juice - 1tsp freshly squeezed
  • Coconut - 1tsp grated (optional)
  • Toasted sesame seeds - 1tbsp
Salt to taste.
  1. Cook lentils with enough water and keep aside.
  2. Chop onions and broccoli to small bit size pieces. Peel the outer layer of the broccoli stem and chop them as well.
  3. Heat oil, when hot add mustard seeds when they start to pop add chopped onions and broccoli, cover with lid and cook them till just soft (takes about 7-10 Min's). Add cooked lentils and mix well.
  4. Now add salt and red chili powder. Switch off and garnish with toasted sesame seeds, cilantro leaves, lime juice and fresh grated coconut. Adjust taste.
Enjoy with rice, rotis/flat breads or use to stuff bread and make sandwich's. We had this for our lunch with rice and sambar.

One more recipe with Broccoli : Broccoli-Potato cutlets.
This recipe goes to My Legume Love Affair-Seventh Helping hosted by Srivalli, which first started by Susan.

27 comments:

  1. Hi Madhu..

    Good click, dish is delicious..!
    Do check my new blog at http://www.sanghi-worldfoodtreat.blogspot.com

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  2. Delicious indeed! I haven't been very adventurous with broccoli except fro brccoli and cheese!

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  3. Looks delicious, the curry turned out prefect!!

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  4. Hi Madhu, happy new year! :))

    Even my kids love Broccoli, great looking stir-fry.

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  5. I did like broccoli, but I do now. This is a nice recipe..healthy & with lentils too. My daughter loves broccoli.

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  6. nice recipe, i havent used broccoli anywhere except pastas. i feel it tastes a lot like cauliflower, shall try this

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  7. Looks yummy and it's so easy too.

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  8. quick and simple recipe I have some broccoli in hand will try now hummm helthy too

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  9. Very nice. I make broccoli about 3-4 times a week :-)

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  10. Looks awesome and healthy too. Thanks for dropping in my blog.

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  11. Loved the colors of palya, it looks tempting Madhu. I did not update my reader with your new blog address, and was wondering about the updates. Now I have changed so I should be able to read your updates regularly :)

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  12. looking superab yaar,, and delicous and healthy too..

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  13. Wow simple and yummy recipe. You can send this to MLLA event i think. (If you lik it) :-)

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  14. The curry looks so good. I have ventured making anything with broccoli other than eating them steamed. I ought to give this a try.

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  15. @ Thanks all, hope you all givethis recipe a try and enjoy them as well.
    @ KF, I almost forgot about the event, will sure send in, thanks.

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  16. thanks for visiting my blog madhu. you have a great collection in ur blog. keep it up. brocolli curry looks yum. an unusual combo.

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  17. Looks tasty, yummy,healthy dish. Good way to use brocolli.

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  18. This does look really delicious, Madhu, and it's always great to come across new recipes with the healthful broccoli.

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  19. nice click, A healthy n simple recipe, a must try...

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  20. Hi,

    came across your blog while browsing.. very good blog indeed.
    The recipe looks awesome..:)
    something new and tasty with broccoli...will surely try it.

    do visit my blog
    http://box-n-dice.blogspot.com

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  21. Hi
    I am Prathiba from cuisineindia.wordpress.com writing to you. You have a wonderful blog. I had requested you to send me the proportion for the moong dal chaklies which you had said that you prepared with Wheat atta. Please do mail me whenever you are free.

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  22. Very nice recipe. LOL at "no broccoli". That was funny.

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  23. Thats so lovely madhu..thanks for the entry

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  24. wow. nice one. You have an awesome collection of recipes.

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