Broccoli with Japanese-style Peanut Dressing

 “ ～ae”（～ 和え）is a popular type of vegetable dish in Japan that consists of blanched vegetables with a slightly sweet and nutty savoury dressing. The most popular version of this dish is probably　白和え (shiroae) which is a tofu and sesame dressing, usually mixed with blanched spinach. Other common combinations include green beans with sesame, and broccoli with a peanut dressing.

I love this style of cooking as it’s a nice middle ground between salads and stir-fried vegetables. As much as I like munching on raw veggie sticks and salads, sometimes I don’t feel like they’re filling enough, but in the warmer months a stir-fry can also feel too heavy.  If you blanch at the idea of blanched vegetables (pun very much intended) this delicious dish may be just what you need to change your mind. Happy cooking!

Prep and cooking time: Under 10 minutes

Serves 2 as a side dish

INGREDIENTS

100g broccoli (about ½), cut into bit-sized pieces

1Tbs. salt

4Tbsp. crunchy peanut butter

2-3Tbsp. milk or soy milk

2 tsp. sugar

1tsp. soy sauce

METHOD

1. Add the salt to a small saucepan of water and bring to the boil.
2. Rinse the broccoli and add to the saucepan. Blanch for about a minute (usually about when the water starts to bubble again).
3. Drain and run under cold water a couple of times to cool it down. Set aside to drain.
4. Add the peanut butter to a large bowl and mix well. Add the milk or soy milk, sugar and soy sauce. Mix well.
5. Add the broccoli and mix well.

Helen Yuan