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Broccoli with Lime-Cumin Dressing

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Broccoli with Lime-Cumin Dressing

Ingredients

Steamed Broccoli

1 ½ pounds broccoli (about 1 medium bunch), rinsed½ teaspoon table salt

Dressing

1 teaspoon grated lime zest 1 tablespoon lime juice from 1 large lime½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon table salt hot pepper sauce 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup minced red onion

Before You Begin

Residual heat from the broccoli tames the raw red onion.

Instructions

  1. Separate florets from stalks at points where floret stems meet stalks. Cut off woody bottoms of stalks; trim away 1/8-inch of outer peel. Cut stalk in half lengthwise and then into bite-sized pieces. If desired, separate florets into smaller sections and peel stems; arrange in steamer insert or basket.
  2. Bring about 1-inch water to boil in deep, wide pot. Lower insert or basket with broccoli into pot so it rests above water; cover and simmer until just tender, 4 1/2 to 5 minutes. Remove broccoli.
  3. Whisk first five ingredients (pepper sauce to taste) in small bowl. Whisk in oil until dressing is smooth; stir in onion.
  4. Gently toss steamed broccoli with dressing. Adjust seasonings; serve hot or at room temperature.
Broccoli with Lime-Cumin Dressing

Broccoli with Lime-Cumin Dressing

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

Steamed Broccoli

1 ½ pounds broccoli (about 1 medium bunch), rinsed
½ teaspoon table salt

Dressing

1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1 tablespoon lime juice from 1 large lime
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon table salt
hot pepper sauce
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup minced red onion

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

Steamed Broccoli

1 ½ pounds broccoli (about 1 medium bunch), rinsed
½ teaspoon table salt

Dressing

1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1 tablespoon lime juice from 1 large lime
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon table salt
hot pepper sauce
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup minced red onion

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

Steamed Broccoli

1 ½ pounds broccoli (about 1 medium bunch), rinsed
½ teaspoon table salt

Dressing

1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1 tablespoon lime juice from 1 large lime
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon table salt
hot pepper sauce
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup minced red onion

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

To meet the challenge of adding flavor without fuss to broccoli, we tossed an uncooked dressing with steamed broccoli. We found that potent flavorings—lime, cumin, hot sauce, and red onion—stood up to the strong flavor of broccoli.

Before You Begin

Residual heat from the broccoli tames the raw red onion.

Instructions

  1. Separate florets from stalks at points where floret stems meet stalks. Cut off woody bottoms of stalks; trim away 1/8-inch of outer peel. Cut stalk in half lengthwise and then into bite-sized pieces. If desired, separate florets into smaller sections and peel stems; arrange in steamer insert or basket.
  2. Bring about 1-inch water to boil in deep, wide pot. Lower insert or basket with broccoli into pot so it rests above water; cover and simmer until just tender, 4 1/2 to 5 minutes. Remove broccoli.
  3. Whisk first five ingredients (pepper sauce to taste) in small bowl. Whisk in oil until dressing is smooth; stir in onion.
  4. Gently toss steamed broccoli with dressing. Adjust seasonings; serve hot or at room temperature.

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