Broccoli rabe, garlic, potato saute with kalamata olives plus tips for balancing bitterness in dishes.
Some vegetables are the bad boys of the garden. They polarize; flaunt a “love-me-or-hate-me” attitude; and bully with Superfood promises.
It starts when we’re young. Recently, the 4-year-old son of a friend was completely terrorized by the seemingly harmless broccoli I served at dinner one night. When he realized his mother was going to make him eat it, he was at first inconsolable; then with hardened resolve, spit it out on the table.
Well, it was more of a cross between spit and gag, which took me straight back to my own childhood of throwing food out the window when I thought no one was looking. I later promised him that our home would be a broccoli-free zone for him; we all need a safe harbor.
For me, until recently, it was broccoli rabe, also known under aliases, rapini, raab, and rape. Fooled by the broccoli disguise a number of years ago, I dove in. But at that first bitter bite, I knew I’d been had. It wasn’t broccoli at all, and carefully stayed far away after that. But then I started reading how chefs were taming rabe’s bitterness. Even mainstream Rachael Ray was cooking with it. I had to try again. God forbid Rachael should have one up on me.
That was a year ago. I’ve gone through a lot of rabe since then in search of ingredients and techniques to tame its bitterness. Along the way, I’ve learned some valuable lessons, and thought I’d share my favorites that you can use with other bitter greens as well
A Few Cooking Notes:
Ways to temper rabe's trademark bitterness:
- Fats, salt, and acids are great for tempering bitterness. Think bacon, sausage, anchovies, capers, kalamata olives, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, butter, cream, lemon, tomatoes, and vinegars.
- Blanch in well-salted, hot simmering water. The longer, the better.
- Mix in some starch. Potatoes, pasta and beans are great partners with bitter greens.
- Finish with a light touch of heat and smokiness. Garlic, red pepper flakes, and sweet paprika are all winners.
If you want to eliminate the anchovies, feel free to substitute kalamata olives or capers.
Broccoli Rabe and Baby Potato Sauté
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of broccoli rabe about 11 cups when trimmed and chopped
- ½ yellow onion minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup baby potatoes
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- 1 - 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon minced salt-packed anchovies or substitute kalamata olives
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 2 tablespoons [url]browned butter bread crumbs ∞https://thewimpyvegetarian.com/2012/02/browned-butter-breadcrumbs-and-liebster-awards/[/url]
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Drop in the baby potatoes and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove and set aside. Cut in half when cool enough to handle. Keep the water simmering.
- Trim the bottoms of the broccoli rabe stalks and chop into 2-inch lengths. Drop the rabe into the water you used to cook the potatoes, and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes, or until just tender. Drain in a colander and spray with cold water. Press the rabe into the colander to try to remove as much water as possible. Finish by rolling the rabe up in a towel and squeezing out the last bit of water. Set aside.
- In a medium sauté pan, over medium heat, sauté the onion until soft and golden. Add the halved potatoes. Sauté for 1 minute, just to reheat them. Add the rabe and toss in the pan to mix well. Add the lemon juice, sweet paprika, salt and vinegar.
- Heat the butter in a small pan over low heat. Add the anchovies and a pinch of crushed red peppers. Sauté for a couple of minutes, stirring as the anchovies melt into the butter. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for another minute. Add half of the browned butter bread crumbs.
Lynda - TasteFood
If this informative and supportive post doesn't get everyone to try broccoli rabe, then I don't know what will! Thank you for the link, Susan!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I love your pizza, Lynda! It's one of my favorite recipes for rabe 🙂
LiztheChef
Oh dear, the recipe for buttered breadcrumbs appeals to me as much as the rabe 😉
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I'm with you, Liz. I made these about 2 or 3 weeks ago and am using them now for so many things. I think I'll post the recipe separate for it and add it to my pantry so I can refer to it in future posts. They are, hands down, the best breadcrumbs I've ever had.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I heard all the starving children stories too. And then my folks, tired of sitting at the table urging me to eat one more bite, would leave the room telling me I had to sit there until I finished. That's when I started throwing it out the window. I got caught when I did that with a pork chop, bone and all, and my mother didn't believe for a minute that I'd eaten the bone too 🙂 The dogs in the neighborhood must have loved our house. I love this recipe, but I must be honest that none of my grandchildren have indicated any interest in it...
Trish
Hi,
We're having BR tonight! I love it too.
Trish
The Wimpy Vegetarian
YaY! BR lovers unite. We should have a support group for veggies that don't get enough respect 🙂 Hope you're doing well!!
Julie @Savvy Eats
I love this post-- so well written, and great tips on cutting the bitterness!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Julie, and thanks so much for your tips when I was writing it!! So happy you like the outcome 🙂
Deb @ knitstamatic
I actually have broccoli rabe in my fridge. I usually keep it simple with lots of garlic and extra-virgin olive oil...until now. Thanks for sharing!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Yay for BR! Let me know what you think if you try it this way - I love to hear your thoughts. I'm having more for dinner tonight!
Bevi
I had a terrific rabe at the Tonga Room, of all places. Blanched and then served atop a citrus/sesame/crushed red pepper sauce. This recipe looks great and I will try it soon!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
How funny - I was in SF having dinner with some friends and they were just talking about the Tonga Room. I haven't heard about it in forever, and now twice in 24 hours! Blanched on top of citrus/sesame/crushed red pepper sauce sounds amazing. Really, really amazing. Would love to hear what you think if you make this one!