Did you know that broccoli is one of the top ten most useful foods? It contains the lion's share of fiber, which helps normalize the digestive function of the intestine, as well as countless vitamins, minerals and protein. In addition, the high content of phytoncids in broccoli contributes to an increase in the body's resistance to viral infections. Clinical studies have proven the antitumor efficacy of the vegetable, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to restore immune function.
Considering all the usefulness of broccoli cabbage, it simply needs to be introduced into the diet of your child. And in recent years, pediatricians are increasingly advised to do this as early as possible and even start from her lure your baby. This is also promoted by hypoallergenic properties of the vegetable and its good tolerability and absorption by the child's organism.
Next, we will tell you how much and how to cook broccoli for a child, so that it retains the maximum of its useful properties.
How much to cook fresh broccoli in a saucepan?
The easiest and most accessible way of cooking broccoli is to boil it in water in a saucepan. It is important not to exceed the required cooking time, otherwise it will simply lose its value. So how much should you cook broccoli in a saucepan? Specialists recommend keeping the inflorescences of the vegetable in inflorescence in boiling water for no more than three minutes. But during this time most often they do not have time to prepare and remain harsh, which can affect the baby's appetite. We recommend increasing the cooking time to five to seven minutes. In doing so, we use the minimum amount of liquid. This is also one of the conditions for preserving the properties of broccoli when cooking it in water. The same time will be needed in order to boil the vegetable to make a mashed potatoes , which will be used for the feeding of infants. Boiled inflorescences in this case must be broken with a blender and if desired mixed with other vegetable or meat puree .
How much to cook fresh broccoli for a couple?
The most priority heat treatment of vegetables for children is cooking them for a couple. In this case, all the usefulness and vitamins are saved to the maximum. In order to inflorescence of broccoli during steaming become soft, no more than five minutes. Vegetables cooked on steam can also be used for mashed potatoes. If it turns out thick, then you can dilute it with boiled water or other vegetable more liquid puree.
How long does it take to cook frozen broccoli until ready?
In the non-season most often used for food are frozen inflorescences of broccoli. In order to boil them in water in a saucepan, it will take a little longer than for a fresh vegetable. In this case, the cabbage will reach the necessary softness in ten minutes. If you can cook frozen broccoli for a couple, do not neglect it. Time will take as much as for traditional cooking, but the utility will still be maintained to a greater extent.
To the above, we add that when cooking large inflorescences, it is better to increase the cooking time by one or two minutes. In addition, we take into account that the pedicels are prepared somewhat longer inflorescences, so they should be cooked separately, without sacrificing the vitamins of the inflorescences in the event of an increase in the cooking time of the vegetable.
To prepare puree from broccoli, never use for its dilution the broth in which cabbage was cooked, especially if it was purchased in a retail chain, and you are not sure of its ecological compatibility. In the same case, we recommend to soak the inflorescence in cold water before cooking for eight hours.