Broccolini Salad

What is Broccolini?

You might be wondering “what exactly is broccolini”?  Broccoli, broccolini, and broccoli rabe may all have similar names but are different vegetables.  Although broccoli is easily recognizable, I often see broccolini and broccoli rabe confused for one another.

Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli (gai lan).  It has thin long stalks with a few leaves and loose florets at the top.  The stalks are tender and can be eaten without being peeled and the flavor is mild and sweet. It’s incredibly versatile and you can substitute broccolini pretty much anywhere you would use broccoli.

Broccoli rabe on the other hand is mainly leaves with just a few florets and is often prepared similarly to dark leafy greens.  Unlike the mild flavor of broccolini, broccoli rabe has a distinct bitter taste.

I particularly love broccolini when paired with an Asian-inspired sesame dressing.  The bold flavors of sesame and garlic complement the mild and mellow flavor of the broccolini.  It’s an easy side salad that works well for everyday meals as well as picnics and summer barbecues since it stands up well to being dressed for long periods of time.  Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

Ingredient Notes:

(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe.  As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

• Broccolini - Look for firm, bright green stalks and tight florets. Avoid florets that have flowered. 
• Sesame Oil – Use a toasted sesame oil.
• Olive Oil – Use a mild flavored olive oil.
• Coconut Aminos – Coconut aminos are a gluten-free and soy-free substitute for soy sauce. 
• Vinegar – Use an unfiltered apple cider vinegar.
• Coconut Sugar – You can use either coconut sugar or maple syrup to sweeten the dressing.
• Garlic – Use finely grated garlic.
• Red Pepper – A few red pepper flakes brings a bit of heat to the dressing.
• Sesame Seeds – Use either raw or toasted sesame seeds.

How to Make a Sesame Broccolini Salad:

(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe.  Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

Both the sesame dressing and the broccolini can be made ahead of time and dressed when needed.

1. To make the sesame dressing simply combine the sesame oil, olive oil, coconut aminos, vinegar, coconut sugar, garlic, red pepper and sesame seeds in a small jar and shake until well combined.  Refrigerate until needed.
2. To prepare the broccolini, trim the bottom of the stems, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the broccolini until crisp-tender (about 1-2 minutes).  Transfer the broccolini to an ice bath to stop the cooking, drain and pat dry before dressing.
3. When you’re ready to serve simply arrange the broccolini on a platter and pour over the sesame dressing.  (Leftovers are equally delicious as the broccolini has had time to absorb the dressing.)

And that’s it, a simple but flavorful way to prepare broccolini that everyone will love!

Variations:

• Substitute regular broccoli for the broccolini.
• Add snow peas, snap peas or asparagus.
• Use gluten-free tamari instead of the coconut aminos.  (Note: gluten-free tamari is made from soy and rice.)
• Use coconut vinegar or un-seasoned rice vinegar in place of the apple cider vinegar.
• Use maple syrup instead of coconut sugar.

More Broccolini Recipes:

• Spaghetti Squash with Broccolini
• Orzo Pesto Salad with Broccolini
• Kelp Noodle Stir Fry with Broccolini