Broccoli

About

Broccoli varieties differ in their balance of bitterness and sweetness. Calabrese, the common bushy type, leans sweet; purple sprouting broccoli has a stronger, more pungent depth, taken further in broccoli raab's bitterness. Kai-lan, or Chinese broccoli, is closely related to calabrese and similarly sweet, but has more stalk and leaf relative to head, which makes it juicier; it is also related to the well-regarded Portuguese Tronchuda cabbage. All broccoli varieties pair strongly with salty ingredients, which is why they are often combined with anchovies and Parmesan in Italian cooking, blue cheese in Britain, or soy sauce and black beans in China.

Pairs well with broccoli

• CiLemonBroccoli loses heat quickly after cooking, so some restaurants serve it deliberately warm rather than hot, finished with a squeeze of lemon.
• SuGarlicA simple, common pairing: broccoli and garlic stir-fried with ginger and oyster sauce, or cooked together (often with anchovies) and…
• MeBeefBeef and broccoli share a mineral, iron-like tang alongside a bittersweet contrast, most familiar in the Chinese-American stir-fry with…
• MePorkBroccoli raab (rabe) is more mustardy, spicy and slightly bitter than standard broccoli, and is popular in southern Italy paired with pork…
• BrBaconBroccoli and pancetta make a bittersweet, salty combination that becomes more complex with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, pine nuts and…
• GrChiliRoasting gives broccoli a richer, sweeter flavor that pairs well with red chili, whether dried and smoky or fresh and sweet.
• ChHard CheeseBroccoli pairs well with hard, well-aged cheese.
• SuCauliflowerBoth are varieties of Brassica oleracea and share many flavor compounds, most noticeable when eaten raw.
• WoWalnutCombined in pasta dishes or stir-fries, where broccoli adds a lighter, vegetable counterpoint to richer walnut-based preparations.
• BrAnchovyAnchovy's rich saltiness balances broccoli's bittersweet flavor in a well-known Italian pasta dish, especially with purple sprouting…
• RoPeanutCrunchy peanut butter pairs well with broccoli, whose florets catch crumbs of peanut; the combination works in dressed salads or in…
• ChBlue CheeseBlue cheese and broccoli combine in soups, macaroni and cheese, or a raw broccoli salad with a milder blue cheese dressing for those who…