Today, let’s make broccoli with garlic sauce, a beloved Chinese-American classic. Crisp, tender broccoli coated in a savory garlic sauce—sounds amazing, right? Even if there’s no meat in there, it’s a wonderful meal when paired with rice. Give it a try! This simple, guilt-free dish will make you so happy and satisfied.
Broccoli with Garlic Sauce (4 servings)
Ingredients:
- 1-2 heads broccoli, about 1 lb (450g) in total
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp (8g) grated ginger
- 2 green onions (optional), divided
- 1/2 mild red chili (optional) (or carrot, bell pepper, chili flakes, etc.)
- Kosher salt, to season
- 2 tbsp neutral-tasting oil (such as canola, avocado, vegetable, etc.)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
Sauce:
Instructions:
PREP VEGETABLES
1. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. (Normally, I use the stems too, but since we’re going for the takeout-style, I’ll only use florets for this recipe.)
2. Finely chop the garlic cloves. Grate a small knob of ginger, about 2 teaspoons.
3. Thinly slice the green onions and red chili, if using.
MAKE SAUCE
In a small container, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce (if using), sugar, Shaoxing wine, chicken bouillon powder, vinegar, white pepper, water, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside. (If you prefer a thicker sauce, feel free to add more cornstarch.)
MAKE BROCCOLI WITH GARLIC SAUCE
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and blanch the broccoli for 1 minute. Remove from the pot and shock them in an ice water bath. (This will help them keep their vibrant green color.) Drain well and set aside.
2. In a large wok (or pan), heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once it gets nice and hot, add the garlic, ginger, and white parts of the green onions. Saute for 30 seconds or until the garlic starts to go brown.
3. Add the drained broccoli and stir-fry for 1 minute.
4. Give the sauce a quick stir and pour it into the wok. Toss everything together for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and glossy.
5. Turn the heat off. Add the sesame oil, green onions, and chilies (if using). Give it a final mix. Enjoy with hot rice.
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