How to Give Flavor to Steamed Broccoli

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Steaming broccoli brings out more of its natural flavor than eating the vegetable raw, but for many taste buds that's not enough. A simple saute mix or sauce topping is all it takes to bring some savoriness to steamed broccoli. Chances are you already have some complementary ingredients in your kitchen to help punch up this super food.

A Good Combination

Some vegetables tend to go well with a certain combination of ingredients. For broccoli, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice will do the trick nicely. While the broccoli is steaming, saute some minced garlic with olive oil, lemon juice and a dash of salt and pepper in a separate pan. When the broccoli and the garlic mix are done, toss them together in a bowl.

Other Options

A classic complement for steamed broccoli is cheddar cheese sauce, which has a base made out of cheddar, milk and flour. Simply top the broccoli with the cheese sauce when you plate it. Topping or tossing it with butter also gives broccoli a flavor boost. Add a few dashes of pepper sauce if you prefer your broccoli spicy as well as buttery.