Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable of the cabbage family. It is not always appreciated... And yet, well-cooked, it can be extremely tasty and full of health and body benefits!

Broccoli, benefits galore

Broccoli is a vegetable from the cruciferous family. Originally from Italy (it has only been cultivated in France since the 1980s), it is a descendant of wild cabbage and cauliflower. Packed with vitamins, this green vegetable is an amazing health ally. To get the most out of its taste and its benefits for the body, it is best to eat it raw or slightly cooked.

11 reasons to eat broccoli

Rich in potassium and vitamin B, broccoli prevents muscle cramps.
According to some studies, one of the components of broccoli could prevent the appearance of breast cancer.
Broccoli could decrease the level of bad cholesterol and increase the good one.
Rich in various vitamins, it would help the cellular renewal of the skin and would fight effectively against wrinkles.
Full of lutein and zeaxanthin, broccoli would protect our eyesight and the health of our eyes.
It would also protect men from the risks of prostate cancer.
Broccoli would naturally reduce the concentration of homocysteine in the blood, responsible for the risks of vascular accidents.
Broccoli would also strengthen our immune system, thanks to its vitamin C, and would therefore fight effectively against winter diseases and colds.
Very low in calories and carbohydrates, but rich in fiber, it is a real slimming ally for those who are on a diet!
Thanks to its sulforaphane, it would protect our respiratory tracts and is thus particularly recommended to smokers and asthmatics.
Excellent for the memory, it would slow down the cognitive decline.

3 broccoli recipes for every taste

Broccoli purée

Ingredients (for 4 people):

1 broccoli ;
salt ;
pepper.

Steps:

Wash broccoli and remove florets.
Steam for about 10 to 12 minutes until tender.
Blend, gradually adding the cooking water, until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous purée. Season to taste.

Saint-Nectaire Raclette with spicy vegetables

Ingredients (for 4 people):

4 large baked potatoes;
600 g of Saint-Nectaire cheese ;
1 broccoli ;
400 g mushrooms;
200 g chorizo ;
200 g coppa cheese;
200 g of Auvergne ham;
1 clove of garlic ;
1 spring onion;
30 g of semi-salted butter.

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 180°C (th.6).
Wash and dry the potatoes.
Prick them lightly in several places with a fork and place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake for about 1 hour. Check for doneness with the tip of a knife.
Peel and slice the onion into thin rings.
Peel, degerm and chop the garlic. Cut off the stem of the broccoli and cut it into florets.
Wash the florets, drain and set aside.
Clean the mushrooms and cut off the stems if necessary.
In a frying pan, melt the butter and fry the chopped onion for 5 to 8 minutes.
Add the broccoli florets. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes.
Add the mushrooms and chopped garlic and cook for another 10 minutes.
Add a pinch of Espelette pepper. Season with salt and pepper.
Melt the slices of Saint-Nectaire cheese in the caquelons.
Coat the potatoes with cheese and accompany your raclette with the spicy vegetable pan and Spanish chorizo, coppa and/or Auvergne ham.

Skillet of rutabaga, potatoes, broccoli and smoked sausage

Ingredients (for 4 people):

450 g rutabagas;
400 g of potatoes ;
½ broccoli;
2 cooked smoked sausages ;
a few sprigs of thyme;
salt;
freshly ground pepper.

Steps:

Steam broccoli florets for 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
Cut smoked sausages into rounds.
Wash and dice rutabagas and potatoes and dry with a cloth.
Place the cubed potatoes and rutabagas in a frying pan with olive oil. Mix and season to taste.
Cook over high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, and continue cooking over low heat, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Set aside.
Brown the smoked sausage slices in the pan, add the rutabagas, potatoes and broccoli florets and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring well.
Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and enjoy hot!