Since we started getting an organic fruit and veg box delivery each week I have been trying out all sorts of new things. It’s so exciting to be getting vegetables every week that you’ve never tried. It makes you look for information, learn and do new stuff. Sort of brilliant.
Especially since we are going through Lent (and the Greek version is a bit weird as I was saying the other day) it’s great to be doing different things with veggies.
This past week we got some purple sprouting broccoli. I know broccoli is a bit of a British child’s nightmare but I love it. (I also like Brussels sprouts so there you go).
I looked at about 15 recipes online (wish I had kept a list) but I really needed something sweet and fragrant the day I cooked them. My eyes also fell on the large jar with the sesame seeds and the organic Greek honey my mom sent me. I’m sure there’s something similar out there but here goes my own version.
Purple sprouting broccoli with sesame and honey
INGREDIENTS
- A bunch of purple sprouting broccoli (let’s say about 350 grams, maybe a bit more)
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 2 heaped tablespoons of honey (organic if you can find it, none of that horrible squeeze bottle stuff)
- 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
- half a cup of sesame seeds
- 2 cloves of garlic (on the small side, 1 clove if big)
METHOD
Check out the step by step photos below
- Wash the purple sprouting broccoli and cut off the tough stalks or any tough leaves
- Bring salted water to the boil and throw in the broccoli
- Boil for 2 to 3 minutes (we are going for crunchy, not dead)
- Drain well and leave aside
- Drizzle the olive oil in a wok or deep frying pan
- Crush the cloves of garlic (a little rock salt helps with this) and throw them in the hot olive oil. Leave the garlic to fizzle a bit – about a minute
- Add the sesame seeds and leave to fry a bit – about two minutes
- Add the honey and the balsamic vinegar (you may want to lower the temperature a bit before that as the vinegar will go a bit haywire in the hot olive oil)
- Mix it all with a wooden spatula
- Throw in the (drained) purple sprouting broccoli and stir vigorously for one to two minutes. You want the broccoli to be drenched with the lovely sauce you just created.
- Serve pipping hot and eat (try it with your hands. bliss)
