Garlic Broccoli: Refreshing Healthy 5-Minute Quick Dish

Hello everyone! I’m Xiao Mi Zhou. Today I’m sharing Garlic Broccoli - a dish we make every week at home. It’s crispy, refreshing, packed with garlic aroma, and super simple! Whether for busy weekdays or when you want something light, this dish is the perfect choice.

First, check out the finished dish - so vibrant and appealing!

Green broccoli with golden garlic - a feast for eyes and palate!

Ingredients (2-3 servings)

Main Ingredients:

• Broccoli: 1 head (about 400g)
• Garlic: 5-6 cloves
• Ginger: 2 slices (optional)

Seasonings:

• Cooking oil: 1 tablespoon
• Salt: 1 teaspoon
• Sugar: ½ teaspoon (for umami)
• Oyster sauce: 1 tablespoon
• White pepper: a pinch
• Sesame oil: a few drops

Detailed Steps

Step 1: Prepare Broccoli (Key to Keeping it Green)

1. Break broccoli into florets, peel and slice thick stems
2. Soak in water with a little salt for 10 minutes to remove impurities
3. Bring water to boil in a pot, add some salt and oil
4. Blanch broccoli for 1 minute, immediately remove and rinse with cold water

Adding salt and oil while blanching keeps broccoli greener

Step 2: Prepare Garlic

1. Peel garlic, crush with knife and mince
2. Add 1 small chili if you like spicy flavor
3. Mince ginger for standby

Mince garlic finely for better aroma release

Step 3: Quick Stir-frying

1. Heat oil in wok, sauté garlic and ginger over low heat until fragrant
2. After smelling garlic aroma, add blanched broccoli
3. Turn to high heat, quick stir-fry for 30 seconds
4. Add salt, sugar, oyster sauce, white pepper
5. Pour a little hot water along wok edge, stir-fry quickly to combine
6. Turn off heat, drizzle sesame oil and mix well

High heat quick stir-fry maintains broccoli’s crisp texture

Step 4: Plating

1. Arrange stir-fried broccoli on plate
2. Pour remaining garlic sauce from wok
3. Serve immediately!

Simple plating makes home-style dishes more appealing

Success Tips

🌟 Blanching Techniques:

• Add broccoli only after water boils
• Control time within 1 minute
• Immediately rinse with cold water to maintain crispness

🌟 Stir-frying Essentials:

• Sauté garlic over low heat to avoid burning
• Use high heat throughout to lock in nutrients and moisture
• Final hot water creates steam for better flavor integration

🌟 Variations:

• Deluxe version: Add shrimp or scallops
• Spicy version: Add Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies
• Light version: Stir-fry with only salt and garlic

Nutritional Value

• ✅ Low calorie: Only about 35 calories per 100g
• ✅ High fiber: Promotes intestinal motility
• ✅ Rich in Vitamin C: Boosts immunity
• ✅ Anti-cancer compounds: Sulforaphane in broccoli

Serving Suggestions

• 🍚 With steamed rice for a simple meal
• 🍜 As side dish for noodles
• 🥩 Paired with braised pork to cut grease
• 🍤 Complements seafood perfectly

Storage Methods

• Best served immediately to maintain crispness
• Refrigerate up to 2 days if needed
• Not recommended for freezing (affects texture)

This Garlic Broccoli is not only easy to make but also nutritious - it’s a regular on our family table. Hope you enjoy this recipe! Feel free to share your cooking experience in the comments!