Perfection Fresh (Aust)

Broccolini® baby broccoli - kitchen hero and star of the plate

From the simple to the complex, versatile Broccolini® baby broccoli has so many culinary uses, it's easily the green other greens envy.

With flowering, edible buds and slender, succulent stalks, Broccolini® baby broccoli has all the attributes to be the hero in any dish.

This cross between specially selected varieties of broccoli and Chinese kale, is 100 per cent edible and cooks within minutes. Its striking colour, appealing flavour and easy preparation make it an all-round winner.

Bunches can be chopped into equal-sized stems, stalks and florets or left intact for dramatic effect.

Broccolini® can be steamed, blanched, puréed, sautéed, stir-fried, deep-fried or baked. It can be tossed through salad, pasta, cous cous or rice dishes, chilled into a terrine or vegie stack, cooked in quiches, pies or tarts, slow-cooked in casseroles or transformed into a condiment.

Steamed, blanched or microwaved

Steam Broccolini® conventionally in a stove-top steamer over boiling water, or in a microwavable container with a little water for no more than two minutes. It should be tender, yet still crisp.

To blanch, bring boiling water to a rolling boil in a shallow pan, drop Broccolini® in for about 30 seconds and plunge into iced water to refresh and maintain its wonderful colour.

Cooked Broccolini® can be eaten simply drizzled with olive oil and seasoning and presented on the side. It's also best to lightly steam or blanch Broccolini® before puréeing or blending it.

Stir-fried, deep-fried or grilled

Broccolini®'s flavour perfectly complements chicken, pork, lamb, or seafood in Asian-style stir-fries where it's easy to manoeuvre with chopsticks. For a vegetarian alternative, it pairs well with mushrooms, tofu and chickpeas. Roughly chop bunches into thirds and toss into the wok or pan with other vegies.

Florets and stems can be dipped in a flour or beer batter or egg wash and crumb mix, quickly deep fried and served with a variety of dipping sauces. Citrus, satay or soy flavours all enhance it.

To grill, first blanch, then drain and brush with a little oil and favourite seasoning. Wrap the flower in foil to prevent charring and grill till the vegie softens.

Pureéd, sautéed or stuffed

Gently cooked Broccolini® is ideal for pureéing into soups, sauces or salsas where its vibrant green lifts a dish or condiment.

Pulsed Broccolini® can be also the basis for dip or pesto where it can be matched with anchovies, pine nuts or macadamias or parmesan cheese. For a super-fresh garnish, snip the very tips off raw florets and sprinkle over soup with a dash of cream.

Broccolini® is delicious quickly sautéed as an accompaniment to meat or seafood dishes. Try sautéing with olive oil, garlic, sweet Spanish onions and salty capers for balance.

Pulse Broccolini® into a paste with garlic, olive oil and a hint of chilli and stuff into chicken breasts or mix with cream cheese and fill pastry rolls or vol-au-vent cases.