Broccolini is a nutritious side dish that’s easy to make. Plus, its versatility allows it to easily be turned into an entire meal!
Explore three delicious broccolini recipes featuring balsamic vinegar! They’re sure to become family favorites! With these roasting, grilling and sauteing methods, adding this nutritious vegetable into your diet has never been simpler!
1. Roasted Broccolini with Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a widely-used condiment used in various recipes. From high-end restaurants and gourmet food shops to fast food chains and pizza joints, its versatility has earned it its place among kitchens around the world.
Balsamic vinegar has many uses, such as marinades and dressings. But before you purchase or use one, be sure to know how to identify quality balsamic vinegar.
Balsamic vinegars can be classified into several varieties according to the balance of grape must and wine vinegar, with these two main components determining its taste, consistency and quality.
The higher the grape must content of a balsamic vinegar recipe, the sweeter and mellower it will taste. Furthermore, aging can change its texture and flavor significantly.
Commercial balsamic vinegar comes in many varieties, with some more upscale than others and being produced around the world.
Balsamic vinegar (aceto balsamico) is produced in Modena, Italy using only fresh juice from crushed grapes. After being diluted and aged for several years in wooden casks, this aged balsamic vinegar becomes available.
Chefs love this type of balsamic vinegar for its robust flavor and savory notes. It can be served over meats and vegetables as a condiment, or drizzled over salads to add an extra layer of complexity.
In the United States, there are several companies producing traditional balsamic vinegar that rivals that of high-end Italian brands. They typically make small batches and age it for an extended period in wooden casks before selling to customers.
When buying balsamic vinegar, the most essential thing to look for is whether it has no additives. Chemicals like coloring or thickening agents can mask the natural flavors of quality balsamic vinegar, making it less flavorful and artificial.
2. Grilled Broccolini with Chili & Lime
Are you searching for an easy, tasty side dish that can be prepared quickly? Look no further! Plus, this recipe is gluten free friendly so perfect everyone!
Broccolini is an easy-to-prepare vegetable that has become increasingly popular. It resembles broccoli but with a sweeter taste than regular broccoli. You can roast, steam or saute it to achieve different preparations and dishes!
Your local supermarket carries a range of balsamic vinegars, from commercial-grade (made from cheap wine vinegar with added colors and flavors) to true Modena balsamic vinegar aged for years in wooden barrels.
To guarantee you’re buying a high-quality balsamic, look for the label “Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI.” This indicates the product was produced within and around Modena, Italy.
Traditional balsamic vinegar is made by ageing grape must in wooden barrels over decades. This method results in an intensely dark, syrupy vinegar that can be drizzled over fruit or Parmesan cheese or drizzled over thick stews and risottos for flavor.
It also makes an irresistibly delicious marinade for steaks and other protein-rich foods. Not only does it tenderize the meat by breaking down proteins and fat, but you can make this simple sauce ahead of time so that you have it ready when you need it for chicken, steak or fish for a quick dinner with minimal effort!
You can reduce vinegar to make an easy dressing for salads or other dishes. To do so, bring the balsamic to a boil over high heat and then reduce it until it’s about 1/3 its original volume. Serve this reduction over fresh tomatoes, creamy hummus or on top of fresh greens as a side dish.
3. Sauteed Broccolini with Brown Butter & Almonds
Sauteing vegetables is one of my go-to cooking techniques, and broccolini is no exception. It cooks quickly and tenderizes beautifully, so you can serve this dish with a variety of dinners without fear of overcooking it.
This sauteed broccolini makes the ideal accompaniment to any hearty meal, from stuffed chicken breasts and beef shanks to roasted pork shoulders and more.
The sweet flavor of garlic butter pairs perfectly with earthy seasoning in broccolini. Toasting almonds add a satisfying crunch, while pine nuts would also work nicely; if you can’t locate them, cashews or hazelnuts would work just as well.
This delicious side dish can be quickly prepared year-round and served for any special occasion – from weeknight meals to Thanksgiving! It’s the ideal solution to any meal!
This recipe takes the classic pasta with Gorgonzola cream sauce and adds an elegant flair. Penne pasta is enveloped in a rich, creamy Gorgonzola cream sauce; garlic-sauteed broccolini adds subtle sweetness, while browned butter lemon adds acidity to help balance out the Gorgonzola flavors.
To begin making this sauteed broccolini, begin by melting butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add minced garlic and gently stir together; cook for several minutes while stirring frequently.
Finally, garnish the broccolini with several tablespoons of toasted pine nuts. You may also want to garnish it with some fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme for an added touch.
Garlic-flavored olive oil or other infused oils are ideal for this dish, but you can use any kind of olive oil you have on hand. Finally, sprinkle the broccolini with a squeeze of lemon juice and some salt and pepper for seasoning.
4. Grilled Broccolini with Cumin & Chili Powder
Balsamic vinegar is an ideal way to give your food a rich, deep flavor. Plus, it has several health benefits; such as controlling blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels.
Balsamic vinegar can be found in most grocery stores or gourmet food shops. It’s an often-used ingredient in recipes, particularly pasta and risottos.
This recipe calls for traditional Italian balsamic vinegar from Modena, which offers a more complex and delicate taste than other varieties of vinegar. However, it is more expensive than its cheaper counterparts.
We add garlic and cumin to this recipe for added flavor, pairing perfectly with tart balsamic vinegar. Finally, we sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes over top for a subtle kick of heat that won’t overwhelm you.
Grilling broccolini on an outdoor grill is an easy way to enhance its flavor. Use a medium-high temperature (around 425 deg.), which will produce the ideal char on the broccolini.
Once the grill is hot, add your broccolini directly over the flame and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender and evenly charred.
For an extra flavorful dish, sprinkle fresh lemon juice and zest over the grilled broccolini before serving. Grated some parmesan cheese over for texture and added depth of flavor.
Grilled broccolini is an irresistible side dish to accompany steak. Not only is it quick and easy to make, but the nutritional value of this side dish makes it ideal for any meal – try switching up other vegetables or meats for something different!
5. Sauteed Broccolini with Garlic & Pine Nuts
One of the fastest, tastiest side dishes that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and requires only basic ingredients. It pairs perfectly with any meat, poultry or fish main course while providing you with an easy way to incorporate vegetables into your diet.
This delicious vegetable dish is prepared with garlic and butter before being cooked until tender-crisp. The result is vibrant green broccolini that’s packed full of zesty garlic and lemon flavor. It makes a healthy yet delectable side dish perfect for weeknights or parties – simply add butter!
The initial step in making this recipe calls for parboiling broccolini in salted water for three minutes, then drain and set aside.
Next, heat the oil in a large pan (large enough to accommodate broccolini without overcrowding) and add chopped garlic and fresh chilli for 30 seconds. Stir then add the broccolini along with some salt for seasoning, sauteing for several minutes until the broccolini are starting to turn golden and tender.
Once cooked, toss with pesto and serve on a platter topped with pine nuts. The garlic and lemon add sweetness to the dish while the pine nuts offer crunch for contrast to soft broccolini florets.
Balsamic vinegar is an exquisite and refined vinegar with a delicate balance of sweetness and acidity, with emphasis on the latter. It should only be used in recipes where its delicate flavors can be fully appreciated – like dressings or sauces – rather than being heated as this could dull its delicate flavors.
If you’re searching for the ideal balsamic vinegar to accompany this dish, investing in an authentic Italian one that has been aged at least 20 years is recommended. Not only does it make an exquisite addition to this recipe, but it can also be used as a garnish on other dishes.