Broccoli won't get soggy: the secrets of cooking vegetables from the freezer
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The sight of cooked broccoli taken out of the freezer does not inspire appetite. Very often, it does not brown, but turns into mush in the pan.
How to cook broccoli correctly so that it has a uniform structure and is golden brown. Lifehacker describes one simple way to help broccoli brown.
The cookbook author Liz Moody describes her recipe for crispy broccoli. Her method, which she described in the video, is hydrophobia. SSPDaily learned more about this method.
Why broccoli boils over
If you pour oil on broccoli from the freezer, the water has nowhere to go. This water steams the vegetables from the inside and they cannot become crispy.
How to cook broccoli
Do not add vegetable oil at first. Let the broccoli bake without oil and let the excess moisture evaporate. Once you have reached the desired level of doneness, you can add a small amount of fat as you see fit and put it in the oven.
Lower the baking temperature
According to the girl, it is better to think about lowering the temperature in the oven. At high temperatures, this happens more slowly and the broccoli may not cook evenly.
Instead of browned (almost burnt) edges combined with not quite cooked stems, you get an evenly roasted vegetable with a concentrated, consistent flavor. (You don't even have to wait for the oven to preheat: throw the frozen florets into a pan and let them warm up in the oven.)
Cook on the grill
If you roast on a parchment-lined baking sheet, the moisture will be removed unevenly. Allow the air to circulate well around the vegetables to ensure even cooking.
Recipe for roasting broccoli
Our goal is to remove moisture as quickly as possible. Use the convection mode if available. The blogger recommends preheating the oven to 200 degrees and baking the broccoli. According to estimates, it took about 20 minutes to get a golden brown.
If the oven temperature is 160 degrees Celsius (with convection on), it will take about half an hour (plus preheating time) for small florets, about 35 minutes for medium-sized pieces, and 40-45 minutes for larger ones.
If you are using an air fryer, reduce the temperature to at least 160 degrees and start checking after 10 minutes.
Once the broccoli is browned, add a little oil. You can drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and any spices. Bake the broccoli for about 5 minutes more.