Dinner Tonight: Broccoli Rabe with Asian Flavors Recipe

My go-to broccoli rabe recipe is really simple. Just boil the broccoli rabe for a few minutes, then saute with some olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. I love how the heat of the chili plays with the slight bitterness of the greens. But the wife, and I'm sure many other people, find broccoli rabe's bitterness a little too much to handle. So I decided to find a recipe that would soften the edges, while still showcasing the vegetable's unique flavor I love so much.

This Cooks Illustrated recipe is certainly a step in a different direction. Though the process of boiling, draining, and sautéing the broccoli rabe is roughly the same as before, the quick sauce thrown in at the end tones down the harsher edges. I still prefer the vegetable slightly unhinged and spare, but this interesting variation is definitely worth a try.

Recipe Details

Dinner Tonight: Broccoli Rabe with Asian Flavors Recipe

Prep 10 mins
Cook 30 mins
Total 40 mins
Serves 2 to 3 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch broccoli rabe

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger

Directions

  1. Cut the bottom 2 inches off broccoli rabe stems. Roughly chop the leaves into 1-inch pieces. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain in a colander, then dunk in a bowl of ice water. When cool, dry and set aside.

  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar.

  3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and ginger and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium-high, and add the chopped broccoli rabe and the soy sauce mixture. Stir well, and cook for about a minute until the broccoli rabe is warmed and the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
141 Calories
11g Fat
7g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 3
Amount per serving
Calories 141
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 15%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1752mg 76%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 31mg 157%
Calcium 171mg 13%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 334mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)