The Tangy Ingredient To Make Up For Lost Flavor In Boiled Broccoli

Broccoli is a versatile and nutritious vegetable that's enjoyable in various ways. When roasted, it comes out crispy around the edges and delectably caramelized. Meanwhile, a good stir-fry on the pan gives you flavor-soaked bites that are impossible to get enough of. However, with boiled broccoli, there's a lot to be desired.

Simply boiling broccoli can often result in a rather bland outcome. This is why it's crucial to incorporate other ingredients once you're done, and one of the best ones to try out is mustard. This condiment is sharply tangy, which works like a dream with broccoli's earthy, mildly bitter taste. Depending on the type of mustard you use, there might also be sweet, spicy, zesty, and peppery notes to elevate the flavor profile to a new complexity. Moreover, mustard also has a distinct aroma that can enhance the overall sensory experience of eating broccoli, making it much more enticing and enjoyable.

You may think that it's as simple as drizzling mustard on boiled broccoli, and while that does work, there are a few other ways to make this pairing more fun. For those making a salad, combine mustard with olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and minced garlic for a simple vinaigrette with a bright, tangy taste. If you want something with a sweeter, creamier touch, a dressing made from mustard, honey, Greek yogurt, and a few spices is an excellent choice.

Got a little bit of time on your hands? Pull out a saucepan and whip up a mustard cheese sauce over medium heat to either drizzle over the broccoli or serve as a dip alongside the vegetable for a unique, healthy snack. The sauce can include grated cheese, milk, butter, flour, salt, and pepper, and perhaps even a hot sauce for a subtle spicy kick.

For a more lavish twist, create a mustard glaze to brush over the boiled broccoli and roast it in the oven for a few minutes until caramelized. A simple mixture of red wine vinegar, olive oil, butter, and mustard should do the trick. Of course, you can also get a little experimental and go for honey and a dash of soy sauce to infuse the broccoli with a special umami taste.