Little Step No. 8
What to do:
Follow the golden rule of broccoli: chop, then wait.
Why this step works:
In Little Step no 4, I shared one of my favourite and super simple cooking tips on garlic. This little step is very similar, but instead involves the bigger, greener, and some might even say, mightier broccoli. If you've already changed your approach to preparing garlic, you'll find this one a quick win.
When you are preparing broccoli, it is best to wash, chop into florets and then leave to stand for at least 15 minutes before cooking. Think of it as the golden rule of broccoli. Chop, then wait.
But why would you do this?
It’s not by chance that broccoli has a reputation for being a superfood; it contains powerful plant compounds that can significantly influence your health. Broccoli is a healthy addition to most people's diets, and is particularly helpful for hormonal health – in fact, I often recommend a daily portion for my female clients.
One of the beneficial compounds you’ll find in broccoli is glucoraphanin. And when the broccoli plant is injured (i.e. chopped), glucoraphanin is converted into sulforaphane, which is even more beneficial. This conversion process is hampered by heat, so if you leave the raw, chopped broccoli to stand for a while before adding it to the pan, your broccoli will contain significantly more sulforaphane. And that's good news for your health.
"Don't ever be too busy to learn something new that could change your life for the better."
In fact, sulforaphane is nothing short of incredible, and the potential benefits it can deliver to health, particularly hormonal health are quite remarkable. We live in an increasingly toxic world and that’s where sulforaphane comes in very useful; it helps to supercharge the body’s detoxification processes so that toxins are safely eliminated from the body rather than left hanging around to cause damage and destruction. Sulforaphane also has powerful antioxidant effects and supports healthy female hormonal balance too.
This little step is simply designed to bring your attention to the mighty power of broccoli and to help you get even more out of it when you add it into your diet.
It seems good things really do come to those who wait.