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Parboiling is the act of cooking something partially so that its overall cooking time is reduced when added to a recipe. While broccoli does tend to cook quickly, it can be helpful to know how to parboil it for some recipes.
Ingredients
- Broccoli
- Salt
Steps
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1Prepare the broccoli florets. Wash, cut, and dry before adding.
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2Prepare a pot with water. Bring it to the boil and add a little salt to it.Advertisement
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3Place a handful of ice cubes into a large bowl. Pour chilled water into the rest of the bowl. Place this nearby so that you can reach it quickly.
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4Place the broccoli into the boiling water. Only cook it for 2 minutes or for however long your directions say.
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5Remove from the pot. Use tongs or a strainer to get the broccoli out quickly.
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6Plunge it into the bowl of ice water. This will "shock" the broccoli and immediately stop it cooking any further.
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7Once it is cool, drain the ice water and leave the broccoli in a colander ready for use as needed.
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8Use in the recipe of choice.
Community Q&A
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QuestionShould I parboil broccoli before making a cheese casserole?
Community AnswerYes, you should.
Things You'll Need
- Pot
- Water
- Tongs or a strainer
- Bowl
- Colander
About This Article
Parboiling is the act of cooking something partially so that its overall cooking time is reduced when added to a recipe. In order to parboil broccoli, bring a pot of salted water to a boil on the stove. While the water is heating, prepare the broccoli by washing, cutting, and drying the florets. Next, get a large bowl and fill it with ice and water. Place the bowl nearby so you can transfer the broccoli quickly. Once the water has reached a boil, place the broccoli in the pot and let it cook for 2 minutes. Carefully remove the broccoli using tongs or a strainer and quickly plunge it into the bowl of ice water to stop it from cooking further. Once it has cooled, drain the ice water and the broccoli is ready to use as needed!
