SAUTéED BROCCOLI WITH TOASTED GARLIC, ORANGE AND SESAME

Sautéed Broccoli With Toasted Garlic, Orange and Sesame image

Broccoli was kicked around for years before anyone decided to have fun with it. For a while broccoli lay spent and lifeless, then went irritably crisp. This recipe advances at high speed with admirable results. I toasted garlic slivers in olive oil until sweet and nutty, added oyster sauce to round the edges, then a rustle of sesame seeds and a wisp of orange to pull the whole thing into focus.

Provided by Kay Rentschler

Categories dinner, quick, vegetables, main course

Time 25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 medium head broccoli
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 1/2 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic cloves
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange peel

Steps:

Rinse broccoli. Cut off thick stem where it meets slender stalks, and reserve. With sharp paring knife separate stalks into florets, leaving stems about 1 1/2 inches long on each. Cut pieces in two lengthwise and lay flat-side down. Cut each piece lengthwise in two and repeat until you have 3-inch-long carved floret and stem pieces of approximately equal thickness (about 1/2-inch) top to bottom. Peel tough skin from stems, and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch medallions. There should be 12 ounces of broccoli, about 7 cups. Set aside.
Toast sesame seeds in large nonstick skillet over low heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to small bowl, and set aside.
Place olive oil and garlic in skillet over low heat. Toast garlic, stirring frequently, until garlic is deep golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add pepper flakes to hot oil, and stir. Transfer to small bowl, and set aside. Toss broccoli, salt and 1/4 cup water in same skillet, cover and set over high heat. Cook until broccoli is tender, shaking pan and stirring once, 4 minutes. Uncover skillet (water should be gone), and toss. Stir in garlic and oil, oyster sauce and orange peel. Transfer to warm serving platter, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 87, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 264 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams