#VeganRamadan: Ditch those side dishes for wholesome sesame broccoli

I know, you're probably cringing at broccoli. I remember growing up hating it for so many reasons: it's taste, texture, the fact that it looked like a weird tree, you name it.

But what I came to learn is that broccoli can be gross, but only in the way chicken can be – if it's left bland and not cooked well. No one likes bland chicken, so why do we not follow the same rule with our vegetables?

So with this recipe, I urge you to give a chance even if you hate broccoli.

I'm using tenderstem broccoli, which has a bit more phosphorus, manganese and calcium, making it amazing for your bones. I'm also generally quite lazy and don't see the point in cutting up a broccoli head when I can just buy it in chunks already. It has a softer taste than regular broccoli and I find putting it in sandwiches is my favourite thing ever.

If you want to use regular broccoli, this recipe works too. You just need to cook the broccoli for a bit longer. General rule is you should be able to poke a fork through the broccoli, but still feel a bit of a crunch.

This can either be a starter, or can be served as a side dish in replacement to oh-so-popular deep fried samosas which everyone promises to cut out for Ramadan, but somehow find them back on the table.

Enough talking, let's get started.

Ingredients:

200g tenderstem broccoli
½ teaspoon of sesame seeds
1 tablespoon of soy sauce (approx. add more to taste)
750ml boiling water (or enough water to cover the broccoli in the pan)

Method:

1. We're going to start off by toasting the sesame seeds, so put them in the pot that you're planning on cooking the broccoli in and cook on medium heat for around 3 minutes until they start to toast. Remove and set aside.

2. Add the water in the pot and bring to a boil if it hasn't already been boiled in a kettle and then add the broccoli.

3. Simmer the broccoli for 4 minutes and make sure it stays on medium heat. If you find the water is boiling more fiercely than a few small bubbles every two seconds, lower the heat so you don't overcook the broccoli.

4. Drain the broccoli and add to a serving dish

5. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the broccoli and drizzle the soy sauce

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Check out our #VeganRamadan series here.