Chinese broccoli also known in Cantonese as “Gai Lan(芥蓝)”, is a leafy vegetable with a mild flavor and firm texture. Chinese broccoli has a slightly bitter taste with a hint of mustard, which makes it a popular ingredient in Asian dishes. The stems are thick, semi-woody, and white while the leaves are light green and tender.
I love Chinese broccoli; it has always been my favorite vegetable for as long as I can remember. Chinese broccoli tastes especially delicious when served with garlic and oyster sauce.
Why is Chinese Broccoli So Good
Chinese broccoli (known as "Chinese kale" in the United States) is a green vegetable that looks like mustard greens but has a slightly softer texture. It's very nutritious, with high levels of vitamins A, C, and calcium. Chinese broccoli has been shown to help protect against cancer and other diseases. This vegetable comes from the same family as broccoli and mustard greens.
The branches of the Chinese broccoli are white with little rings around them. The stems are crunchy when raw but become tender when cooked. Chinese broccoli can be commonly found in most produce sections of Asian grocery stores throughout the year.
How To Cut Chinese Broccoli
The stems are tough when they're older, you can cut off the tough end surface before cooking so that they'll soften up nicely. The leaves are tender throughout the plant's life span, so they're often cooked along with the stems for maximum flavor in stir-fries or soups.
It is super easy to cut up Chinese broccoli if you cut it the right way. Read on:
Step 1 – Use a sharp knife to cut off any tough parts of the stem at its base where it attaches to the main stalk (this will give you a cleaner cut). Trim the ends off the stalk. Smaller pieces may be more tender than larger ones.
Step 2 - Cut off any wilted or yellowed leaves from the bottoms of your stems. Cut off any stems that are thicker than 1 inch in diameter and discard them.
Step 4: Rinse the leaves under cold water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel before using them in your recipe.
How to Make Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce
If you're wondering how to make Chinese broccoli, here are some tips for cooking a healthy green side dish.
Add the pre-cut Chinese broccoli to the boiling water for about 1-2 minutes. (no longer than 2 minutes) Drain it out and rinse it under running water to stop the cooking process. Place the Chinese broccoli on the plate and serve with a sauce of your choice (such as Oyster sauce or soy sauce). Sprinkle the fried red onion for garnish.
Conclusion
Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce(蚝油芥蓝) is a delicious and nutritious dish, and it has a lot of health benefits. Give this recipe a try today! I am happy to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment below.
Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chinese Broccoli
- Water enough to submerge the Chinese broccoli
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil half is for boiling the Chinese broccoli, another half is for making the sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- ¼ tablespoon dark brown sugar or adjust to taste
- 4 tablespoons vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon crispy fried red onion for garnish
Instructions
- Cut and trim the Chinese broccoli, especially the stem part.
- Boil the Chinese broccoli for 1-2 minutes. (no longer than 2 minutes) Add in the oil and the salt to preserve the vibrance color. The stems will take longer than the leaves to cook through. When done, drain them both well in a colander then run them under cold water until they cool down enough to handle comfortably with your hands.
- Place the Chinese broccoli on a plate and arrange for them to go in the same direction. Pat them dry with a paper towel. (optional)
- Add remaining cooking oil to the wok (or nonstick pan) on medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic once the wok is hot.
- Pour in the oyster sauce, dark brown sugar, and vegetable broth once the garlic starts to turn brown. Stir often for about 30 seconds and turn off the heat.
- Slowly pour the sauce mixture over the Chinese broccoli.
- Sprinkle the fried red onion for garnish.
- Serve and enjoy!
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