Going to the grocery store inspires a strangeness in me. Most people go with lists, have recipes in mind, bring their inspiration into the store. But not me. I tend to go the haphazard route (which is why trips can often last more than a couple of hours). I see something that I know very little about, have never made, am not sure how to prepare or what to prepare it with and its like I have to it!! I know this sounds super impulsive but trust me, its not all bad. For example, take last night’s dinner: broccoli rabe (aka rapini) and tofu.
I have eaten broccoli rabe, I know what it is, but have never prepared it, and never really thought about what I would do with it if I had it. But of course, while at the grocery store browsing the produce aisle, it caught my eye. And for a second I was able to shake it off and keep walking. I kept saying to myself, “its late. I need to make dinner. Really should not buy ingredients I don’t know what to do with.” (I always wonder if people in my neighborhood grocery store notice me rambling on to myself…)
I tried to get inspiration from more familiar veggies — squash, mushrooms, spinach, anything - but they just wouldn’t speak to me. All I could think about was the little yellow flowers and leaves on that broccoli rabe looking up at me and I knew I wasn’t leaving without it. So I bought some, washed it and began doing some guesswork and research. I know, I know — great way to get a late dinner started!
If it looks like broccoli, sounds like broccoli,is it just broccoli? Not really. Its not actually in the broccoli family, it is more closely related to a turnip. Seriously, who knew?
Here’s what I did with my broccoli rabe - anyone else have tips?
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Wash broccoli rabe and pat dry with a paper towel. While waiting, bring 5 cups of water to a boil in the pot
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While waiting for water to boil, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium-sized pan.
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When the water is boiling, carefully place the broccoli rabe in the water
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After 2 minutes, drain the broccoli rabe and pat them dry
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Place the broccoli rabe into the sizzling olive oil and add tofu
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Add salt, pepper and sugar to the broccoli rabe and tofu according to taste. Gently stir the greens and tofu with a spatula and allow to sautee for 4 to 5 minutes. When the broccoli rabe is vibrantly green, remove from heat and enjoy!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
yum - I love broccoli rabe, but I haven’t made it myself. I have eaten it sauteed in olive oil and garlic…yum! I have to go to the store with a list otherwise my husband would have left me by now haha.
I never ever bring a shopping list when I go food shopping. I just kinda go with the flow of the store… Not to mention I always loss my shopping lists or if I have it on me always forget the most important item on the list. ( I don’t understand myself) Glad to know I’m not the only person who impulse shops :)
I am so glad there are other people out there that take exhaustively long trips to the store. Grocery shopping for me is always an event. I make sure that when I go I have devoted at least an afternoon to it. I will circle a store a million times because I don’t want to miss out on any new product or not discover something that I have to try. I often end up with the grocery store staff asking me several times if I am finding everything ok. I am sure they think I must am a total lunatic or that I have nothing better to do with my time.
I LOVE this. When we get inspired by a random healthy food at the grocery store- even if we don’t know what we’re going to do with it- it’s great to buy and then experiment! I want to go grocery shopping with you :)
Ha ha I do the same thing! If I see a vegetable I’ve never tried before, even if I have no idea what to do with it, it always ends up in my cart. When the rapini (or broccoli rabe as you call it) called to me, I ended up blanching it in some boiling salted water, and combining it with some whole wheat pasta noodles, mixed with a bit of butter and grated parmesan cheese. Delicious!
http://cookingjamie.blogspot.com/2009/09/simple-meals.html