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I am on a mission to learn to like broccoli.
And I’d say that I’m about 47% of the way there.
I spent a childhood pushing it around on my plate with a fork, pretending like those “little trees” were part of some enchanted forest that could come to life on my plate instead of in my stomach. But a few years ago, I discovered that I actually liked broccoli cheese soup (ok, really, who doesn’t?). And I have been using that recipe as my gateway into broccoli ever since.
I still would never just choose broccoli off a menu. But if it’s roasted, stir-fried, or souped up, I’m in. And this week, when I needed an extra side dish to go with my favorite slow cooker teriyaki chicken and rice, I discovered a new way that broccoli and I can be friends: with peanut sauce.
Oh my goodness. This might be the first time I have ever gone back for broccoli seconds.
Speaking of not liking your vegetables, one of my blogging friends is famous for not liking her veggies — Jessica from How Sweet Eats. Some of you may have read all about her in my post featuring her new cookbook. But if you are new to her blog, you will soon find out that Jessica is getting ready to welcome a How Sweet Baby into her world this fall! I can already envision the nursery now, decorated with her favorite sprinkles and neon and bacon (eh?) galore. :)
Seriously, though, it’s so fun to see friends walk into this new stage of life. And this sweet new baby will be lucky to have such a cool, talented, thoughtful, fun, and fiercely-original mama cheering them on.
So today, a group of talented food bloggers are throwing Jessica a surprise virtual baby shower, full of the “trashed up” recipes that she loves. And my contribution is this Asian Broccoli Salad.
If we must eat our broccoli — and word has it that we must — I’m pretty sure that this salad is the way to go. It is made with 6 simple ingredients, including an easy peanut sauce that is guaranteed to turn just about anything it touches into delicious gold.
PLUS, it can be made in about 15 minutes, or however long it takes your pot of water to boil.
Just chop up your broccoli, blanch it, and then toss it with edamame, peanuts, green onions, and a generous drizzle of peanut sauce.
And then — Jessica-style — top it with some “sprinkles”. In this case, sesame seeds. :)
The result is a simple salad that makes the perfect side dish. Or you can even add in some cooked chicken or beef or tofu to turn it into a main dish, and serve it over rice or quinoa. Easy peasy. Or more accurately, easy broccoli-y. ;)
1–2 tablespoons hot water, as needed to thin the sauce
Instructions
To Make The Broccoli Salad:
Heat a large pot of water until it is boiling. Add in the broccoli florets and boil for 30 seconds. Use a mesh strainer to transfer them into a bowl of ice water, which will immediately halt the cooking process. Drain. Then add the remaining ingredients and toss until combined. Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.
To Make The Peanut Sauce:
Whisk all ingredients together until combined. If the dressing is too thick, whisk in hot water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the consistency you desire.
This was so yummy and simple. I have a 20 month old that loves broccoli so I did end up steaming the broccoli to soften a bit but left it a little al dente and added is a bit of chopped purple cabbage. Served over bow tie pasta because that’s what I had. I’ll be making this again for sure, maybe with the teriyaki chicken you mentioned. Thanks for the recipe
Made this about a month ago and it was very well received at a family gathering. It’s easy and flavorful. I did add some Flat Iron pepper flakes to add a little heat to it. I have been asked to make it for another outdoor gathering as it was enjoyed so much. Thank you for this new addition.
Mine is delicious but looks nothing like yours. The dressing makes it look a bit messy so I would not serve to guests. I barely see the dressing on yours which is why it looks so nice. Did add red pepper flakes
Wow this was delicious! Thank you for this recipe it’s easy and I had everything on hand to make it (except edamame this time but wasn’t lacking w/o it)
I did add some spice with chili flakes to the peanut sauce but that’s just a matter of preference. So Good! Saved to favorites :)
It would probably be helpful if you published comments by people that actually made it.
MadKin —
I’ve made this so many times since it was first published & have tried some of the modifications (like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, hot sauces, warmed up, straight-from-the-fridge) suggested by other commenters depending on my mood – my favorite version is still the original but I like the flexibility, too. Thank you, Ali, for publishing this!
I tweaked this recipe as follows: Used almond butter, used monk fruit as sweetener, did not cook the broccoli, added kale and shredded carrots, added fresh cilantro, used garbanzo beans instead of soy, used apple cider vinegar (ran out of rice). The base of that peanut sauce is delicious. Will make again!!!!
Great recipe. I made it this morning. Thanks!
I made this and added a quarter head of chopped green cabbage. Yum!
This was delicious and very easy to make.
Didn’t have edamame so I used green berms, yum!
Do you have the nutrition for this recipe?
This was so yummy and simple. I have a 20 month old that loves broccoli so I did end up steaming the broccoli to soften a bit but left it a little al dente and added is a bit of chopped purple cabbage. Served over bow tie pasta because that’s what I had. I’ll be making this again for sure, maybe with the teriyaki chicken you mentioned. Thanks for the recipe
Made this about a month ago and it was very well received at a family gathering. It’s easy and flavorful. I did add some Flat Iron pepper flakes to add a little heat to it. I have been asked to make it for another outdoor gathering as it was enjoyed so much. Thank you for this new addition.
Mine is delicious but looks nothing like yours. The dressing makes it look a bit messy so I would not serve to guests. I barely see the dressing on yours which is why it looks so nice. Did add red pepper flakes
Brilliant recipe, made it for the first time a few weeks ago and it is now one of my favourite salad recipes.
How do you buy your edamame? Fresh or frozen? Then do you cook them in the shells or ???
Is this a main dish or what could you pair this with?
I added the juice of half a fresh lime and sriracha for a little zip and kick. Delicious!
Wow this was delicious! Thank you for this recipe it’s easy and I had everything on hand to make it (except edamame this time but wasn’t lacking w/o it)
I did add some spice with chili flakes to the peanut sauce but that’s just a matter of preference. So Good! Saved to favorites :)
It would probably be helpful if you published comments by people that actually made it.
I’ve made this so many times since it was first published & have tried some of the modifications (like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, hot sauces, warmed up, straight-from-the-fridge) suggested by other commenters depending on my mood – my favorite version is still the original but I like the flexibility, too. Thank you, Ali, for publishing this!
I tweaked this recipe as follows: Used almond butter, used monk fruit as sweetener, did not cook the broccoli, added kale and shredded carrots, added fresh cilantro, used garbanzo beans instead of soy, used apple cider vinegar (ran out of rice). The base of that peanut sauce is delicious. Will make again!!!!
This was so good my husband and I fought for the leftovers the next day!!! (And I am a leftover detester!!)