Name: Lemon and Herb Broccoli Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 450 g Head of Broccoli, Cut Into Florets; 2 tbsp Olive Oil; 1 Lemon, Zest and Juice; 1 Garlic Clove, Minced; Handful of Herbs (Parsley and Rosemary Work Well); Salt; Black Pepper

Ingredients

450g Head of Broccoli Cut Into Florets
2tbsp Olive Oil
1 Lemon Zest and Juice
1 Garlic Clove Minced
Handful of Herbs Parsley and Rosemary
Salt to Taste
Black Pepper to Taste

Method

Step 1: Prep the Broccoli

Rinse the broccoli florets under cold water. Place the florets in a microwave-safe dish. Add about 2 tablespoons of water. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or cling film, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.

Broccoli florets covered on a square black dish covered with cling film

Step 2: Microwave

Microwave the broccoli on high power for 4-5 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on your microwave and the size of the florets.

These timings are based on a 900w microwave. If you are using a lower-wattage microwave to cook broccoli, opt for 5-6 minutes. Reduce this to 3-4 minutes for a higher-wattage microwave.

Carefully remove the dish from the microwave (it will be hot) and uncover. Check the broccoli for doneness; it should be easily pierced with a fork but not mushy. Drain any excess water, then add it to your serving plate.

Microwaved Broccoli being tipping onto a blue-rimmed plate

Step 3: Make Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add the minced garlic and the chopped fresh herbs to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and whisk again until all the ingredients are well combined.

Herbs, ginger, garlic and oil in a glass bowl for a dressing

Step 4: Combine

Pour the lemon herb dressing over the broccoli. Gently toss to ensure all the florets are evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately as a refreshing and aromatic side dish.

Tweaks

Char the Broccoli If you’re not against adding another cooking method to this recipe then char the broccoli florets under the grill.
Add Spice Broccoli can handle spice, especially with the dressing in this recipe. Try adding dried chilli flakes, ground cumin or paprika.

Substitutes

Replace the Olive Oil Flavoured oils are an easy way to add further flavour to the dressing. Try basil or garlic oil.
Change the Acidity Lemon adds a citrusy flavour to the dress but other forms of acid could be used instead such as balsamic vinegar.

Storage

In the Fridge To store microwaved broccoli in the fridge, place it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Ensure the container is sealed properly to maintain freshness.

In the Freezer To freeze microwaved broccoli, let it cool first. Then, spread it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the broccoli to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Tips

Use Uniform Pieces: Unless you want some florets mushy and some raw, cut the broccoli florets into evenly-sized pieces to get a consistent cook across all the pieces.

Taste the Dressing First: Before pouring the dressing over the broccoli, taste it quickly. It’s far easier to adjust the seasoning before you mix it with the broccoli.