Sunday, May 17, 2009

Simple Is Better

Gourmet dishes are impressive and all, but I typically prefer a simple preparation when it comes to showcasing fresh veggies. I picked up some gorgeous broccoli at the farmer's market last week and I finally got a chance to show it off in this dish of Broccoli and Black Beans with Garlic over Brown Rice:

The recipe came from 1,000 Vegetarian Recipes by Carol Gelles, but it's really so simple that I didn't need one. I was just thumbing through cookbooks for some new ideas on what to do with broccoli when I came across that recipe. It's basically sauteed broccoli, black beans, garlic, and vegetable broth. That's it. Once on my plate, I seasoned the dish with a little ponzu (citrus-flavored soy sauce).

I also picked up some fresh local lettuce that came with a few nasturtiums (edible flowers) for garnish:

I'd never eaten a flower before (unless you count a stuffed squash blossom), so this was a new experience. Honestly, the taste blended right in with the lettuce. I couldn't even tell I was eating a flower! And it made my salad really pretty.

19 comments:

Chelsea said...

I love edible flowers! I actually just ate my first nasturtium last week :)

Tara said...

Both dishes look lovely! And I agree, the best dishes are usually the simplest.

Lisa said...

that broccoli and black bean recipe sounds like a great one to have on hand to put together a quick meal!

Macie said...

You should try nasturtium leaves, too! They have a nice peppery flavor. Both dishes look really great!

Anonymous said...

I just love broccoli! And that flower is very pretty indeed.

Anonymous said...

I want some edible flowers! I think my mom would freak if I started wandering her garden for food though haha

Meghan (Making Love In The Kitchen) said...

I love those edible flowers. We we were served them every night when I was in St. Lucia. I loved the slightly spicy kick they had- and they are just so beautiful!

Leslie Richman said...

Never tried flowers before...the broccoli dish looks great.

Vegan_Noodle said...

I agree that simple dishes are often the best! I love that big plate of broccoli!
The edible flower looks almost too pretty to eat!

Amey said...

mmm... yummy. I agree about simple foods. I lived in Tuscany for a little while, and the food there is always simple and delicious. I think it really influenced my tastes.

eating flowers is fun! I grow nasturiums, just so that i can put them on salads and cakes. pretty!

A said...

You are so right.... Simple is so much better! Your broccoli looks perfect! I wish there were a farmers market near me. I'm jealous!
-A

Sal - AlienOnToast said...

mm that broccoli looks great, I like it done simply as well.

The Voracious Vegan said...

Gorgeous, fresh and tasty! This looks like a quick and simple dinner I would prepare, it has a lot of things that I love: garlic, black beans, broccoli....simple is the best!

Anonymous said...

I prefer simple over gourmet too. In culinary school and my intership, most of the food I learned to cook was fancy. At the end of the day I couldn't wait to eat something simple like the dish you made. Some of my favorite meals have been the simplest ones to make.

I never tried an edible flower before. It looks too pretty to eat!

Theresa said...

Amen sistah, I often forget about simplicity, especially since Andy is a fan of smothering food in sauces and extreme amounts of flavour. But then every now and then I'll make a really simple dish and I'm reminded of how good fresh food is on its own.

jessy said...

we love a tasty simple meal, too! sometimes good "clean flavors" are just the best! totally agree, Bianca! can’t say i’ve ever had broccoli ‘n black beans together – but now i want to give it a whirl! mmmmmm! the nasturtiums look beauuuuuuutiful! (and i see those radishes! yay!)

Cyn said...

I love nasturtiums! They grew wild where I grow up, and I used to just pick them and eat them straight from the plant, they have such a great peppery taste and they're so pretty. And broccoli and black beans are delicious, I love broccoli with anything.

aTxVegn said...

Broccoli and salad, my two most favorite things in the world. I really do eat them every day. Edible flowers seem so strange to me, although they certainly are pretty. I like squash blossoms!

nora said...

nasturtiums on salads are the best! i think theyre the arugula of flowers!