Roasted tenderstem broccoli with parmesan and pine nuts

Roasted tenderstem broccoli with parmesan and toasted pine nuts is a simple, yet elegant and flavourful dish. It's the perfect side dish for almost anything!

The tenderstem broccoli is roasted to perfection for a slightly crispy texture. We then top it with the all-important cheese - broccoli's BFF.

Toasted pine nuts are the pièce de résistance and elevate this simple vegetable to something really special.

In this post, we will also provide you with six more ways to cook tenderstem broccoli, so read on.

What is tenderstem broccoli? (No, it's not baby broccoli)

Tenderstem is a type of hybrid vegetable that's a cross between Chinese kale and normal broccoli as we know it. It has long stems, thinner stems and small florets.

This delicate broccoli is known for its sweetness, slightly nutty, fresh flavour and crisp texture. It's also packed with nutrients like vitamins C and A, fibre and antioxidants.

This long-stem broccoli can be eaten raw or cooked. It's often used in stir-fries, salads and roasted dishes. Tenderstem broccoli was first created in Japan in 1993 and has since become a very popular veggie all around the world.

Over half the world's tenderstem broccoli is grown in the UK. It's also known as 'broccolini'.

Quick facts about Tenderstem broccoli

• Only 35 calories per 100g.

• It contains significant amounts of folic acid, as well as vitamin A and vitamin C. Rich source of both fibre and protein.

• Seven stems of tenderstem broccoli make up one of your 5-a-day.

• It's a superfood.

Key ingredient notes and substitutions

Tenderstem broccoli

Fresh is best for this recipe. You can make it with frozen tenderstem broccoli, but it won't crisp up as well. You will also need to cook it for slightly longer.

Olive oil

Olive oil provides the best flavour, but you can replace it with vegetable oil, sunflower oil or canola oil. Other options are flavoured oils like garlic or chilli oil.

Pine nuts

These are simply wonderful toasted with this dish. If you haven't tried toasted pine nuts with broccoli before, today should be the day, you won't look back.

You can also add toasted almonds or cashew nuts.

Cheese

Use any hard cheese like Parmesan or Grana Padano. Swiss Gruyère will work perfectly too.

How to roast tenderstem broccoli

1. Preheat the oven to 220℃/425℉/gas mark 7. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Wash and dry the broccoli. Press the washed broccoli between sheets of kitchen paper to dry it thoroughly.

3. Add the broccoli to a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, salt and pepper.

4. Using your hands, toss the broccoli through the oil and spices until all the pieces are well covered.

5. Arrange the pieces of long broccoli onto the baking sheet in a single layer so that they do not overlap and there is enough space between each piece to allow even roasting.

6. Place in the preheated oven and roast for 12-15 minutes, depending on how well you want it cooked. We prefer ours not too soft, so we only roast it for 12 minutes.

7. In the meantime, toast the pine nuts in a small saucepan until they are a light golden brown.

8. When the broccoli is done, scatter over the toasted pine nuts. Grate over the parmesan and serve immediately.

Flavour variations for roasted tenderstem broccoli

There is a whole variety of ways to add flavour to this great side dish, here's a few ideas:

• Garlic and lemon: Toss the Tenderstem broccoli with olive oil, minced fresh garlic or garlic powder, lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice before roasting. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.
  
  You can also try lime juice.

• Parmesan and pesto: After roasting, sprinkle the Tenderstem broccoli with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and dollops of pesto. You can also try crumbling blue cheese over it.

• Spicy: Mix together smoked paprika, cumin, chilli powder and salt. Toss the Tenderstem broccoli with the spice mixture and roast until crispy.

• Asian-inspired: Toss the Tenderstem broccoli with soy sauce, sesame oil and grated ginger before roasting. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

• Balsamic glazed: Whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, and garlic in a bowl. Drizzle the mixture over the Tenderstem broccoli before roasting. Sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, before serving.

• Mediterranean: Toss the Tenderstem broccoli with olive oil, minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes and black olives before roasting. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and fresh herbs like parsley or basil.

• Mustard and maple: Whisk together Dijon mustard, maple syrup and apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Drizzle the mixture over the Tenderstem broccoli before roasting. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans before serving.

• Za'atar: Toss the Tenderstem broccoli with olive oil and za'atar spice before roasting. Garnish with chopped pistachios and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

• Bacon and shallots: Roast some bacon until crispy, then crumble it over the roasted Tenderstem broccoli. Sauté some sliced shallots in the bacon fat until caramelised and sprinkle them over the top.

• Honey garlic: Whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Drizzle the mixture over the Tenderstem broccoli before roasting. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Storage and reheating

The roasted tenderstem broccoli will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days, stored in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for up to three months.

To reheat, add to a microwave bowl and heat in bursts if 30 seconds, turning them after each burst. Continue until heated through.

Just be aware that reheating broccoli may take away some of the crispness, even more so if they have been frozen.

Six more ways to cook tenderstem broccoli

Steaming

• Begin by bringing a pan or saucepan of water to a boil for steaming.

• Next, wash the Tenderstem broccoli thoroughly.

• Place the broccoli in a colander or steaming basket and cover it over the boiling water.

• Allow the broccoli to steam for 3-4 minutes until it turns bright green and becomes tender.

• When the broccoli is ready, remove it from the pan or steaming basket and serve.

• Scatter over the toasted pine nuts. Grate over the parmesan and serve immediately.

Boiling

• To prepare Tenderstem broccoli, start by washing it thoroughly.

• Next, add the broccoli to a pan of boiling water and boil it for 3-4 minutes.

• Check the tenderness of the broccoli using a sharp knife, depending on how soft you want it cooked.

• Once the broccoli is cooked to your liking, drain it from the pan into a colander.

• Finally, add some herb butter and lemon zest. Or, follow this recipe for tenderstem broccoli and add toasted pine nuts and grated parmesan.

Stir-frying

• To cook Tenderstem broccoli in stir fries, begin by washing it thoroughly and slicing the stems in half or into smaller pieces.

• Next, add a little oil to a hot wok and add the tenderstem broccoli, stirring to coat it in the oil.

• Stir-fry the broccoli for about 5 minutes, adding in garlic and soy sauce, or other seasoning of your choice, like chilli flakes.

• The broccoli is ready when it turns bright green and becomes tender.

• Finally, remove the broccoli from the wok and serve it as a delicious and healthy side dish.

Grilling

• To grill Tenderstem broccoli, start by washing it thoroughly and patting it dry.

• Next, drizzle the broccoli with some oil and add it to a hot griddle pan or grill.

• Cook the broccoli for 8-10 minutes until it becomes nicely charred, turning it occasionally for even cooking.

• When the broccoli is done, sprinkle it with a little salt and black pepper.

Blanching

• Fill a large pot or large pan with water and add a generous amount of salt.

• Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

• While the water is heating up, prepare an ice bath in a large bowl by filling it with cold water and adding ice cubes.

• Once the water has come to a boil, add the Tenderstem broccoli to the pot.

• Let the broccoli cook in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or until it is tender but still slightly firm.

• Use a slotted spoon or a colander to quickly transfer the broccoli from the boiling water to the ice bath to stop the cooking process.

• Let the broccoli sit in the ice bath for a minute or two to cool down completely.

• Once the broccoli is cool, remove it from the ice bath and pat it dry with paper towels. Great to add to pasta dishes.

Sautéing

• Wash the Tenderstem broccoli under running water and pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel.

• Trim any tough ends from the stems and cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces.

• Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add a tablespoon of butter or oil.

• Once the butter has melted or the oil is hot, add the Tenderstem broccoli to the pan.

• Stir-fry the broccoli for 5-7 minutes, or until it is tender and lightly browned, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

• Add minced garlic, grated ginger or other seasonings of your choice to the pan and stir well.

• Cook for an additional minute or two, or until the seasonings are fragrant and the broccoli is cooked to your liking.

• Remove the pan from the heat and serve the sautéed Tenderstem broccoli as a side dish or add it to pasta, stir-fries, or salads, as desired.

Can you eat tenderstem broccoli raw?

Absolutely! You can eat Tenderstem broccoli when it's raw and it still tastes fantastic. Take it with you on a picnic or pack it for lunch. It's also great as an appetiser. Here are some dip ideas for raw tenderstem broccoli:

Romesco dip

Healthy tuna pâté

Vibrant beetroot hummus

Easy homemade chilli oil

Pistachio pesto

Rocket pesto

Gyoza dipping sauce

Red chimichurri sauce

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