What better way to include broccoli into Indian cuisine than this wonderful combination of Broccoli with Chickpea Flour (Besan). The spiced chickpea flour lightly coats the broccoli florets in this recipe and provides great flavor and texture. Its a perfect way to get kids to enjoy the health benefits of broccoli.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
Broccoli – 8 oz, cut into bite sized florets (washed and dried)
Oil – 2 Tbsp, divided
Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Asafotida – 1/8 tsp
Garlic – 1 Tbsp, finely chopped
Green Chilies – to taste, finely chopped
Salt – to taste
Chickpea Flour (Besan) – 1/2 cup
Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
Cumin Powder – 1/4 tsp
Dry Mango Powder – 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala – 1/4 tsp
Coriander Powder – 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder – 1/4 tsp or to taste
Lime or Lemon Juice – to taste for garnishing
Method:
1. Heat 1 Tbsp Oil in a skillet on medium heat.
2. Add Cumin Seeds and allow them to sizzle.
3. Add Asafoetida, Garlic and Green Chilies. Stir for 15 seconds.
4. Add Broccoli and mix well. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes. Lightly salt the broccoli and continue to cook covered for another 2-3 minutes
5. In a separate bowl, combine Chickpea Flour, Turmeric Powder, Cumin Powder, Dry Mango Powder, Garam Masala, Salt, Coriander Powder and Red Chili Powder.
6. Add 1 Tbsp Oil and incorporate it well into the flour.
7. Uncover the broccoli and sprinkle the Chickpea Flour mixture evenly over all of the florets. DO NOT MIX.
8. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
9. Uncover the broccoli and sprinkle a little water (just enough to moisten the chickpea flour lightly). Mix, cover and cook for another 3 minutes.
10. Garnish with Lime/Lemon Juice and serve hot with chapati or rice and daal.
Awesome recipe.it was tasting gud even without the besan mixture.all the best
Thanks a million for this recipe. After landing for 7-years in canada, I don’t how to use this broccoli. But after seeing your demo, I buy about 4 bunches a week and cook twice a week. This broccoli has become our family favorite now. You guys just rock!
Thanks again and best wishes!
This recipe has become our family favourite! every visit to the grocery store, i make it a point to buy broccoli and even my 3 year old daughter loves this preparation with her chapatis. I am a big fan of your recipes and have tried quite a few other ones, nankhatai and bhaturas are a big hit too:)
This is truly Amazing..Thanks for Sharing this recipie..
Hi,
I love your website and keep trying your recipes. I have been looking for some soup recipes but could not find any good ones. Could you please share the recipe of vegetarian broccoli soup and cream of potato soup.
Thanks
Aditi
Hi Aditi,
You can use our Creamy Mushroom Soup recipe and substitute broccoli.
I can’t thank you enough for this yummy recipe! It has made us look forward to eating broccoli rather than trying to include it in our diet for the health benefits alone. Our Indian taste buds are satisfied 🙂
I can cook…I can can cook…I can cook…thank you so much ladies….learned so much from you…tried 3 recipies so far…all came out excellent….great website!!! wonderful recipes!!!
Abhijeet
That’s awesome Abhijeet! We’re glad you are finding SMTC useful!
Thanks Hetal and Anuja!
I have made this several times now and loved it 🙂
Really cool recipe, I’ve been looking for a healthy indian recipe to cook broccoli coz i’m bored of the salad and stir fry.
And also my dish got kind of burnt up wat could be the reason
If you feel like the subzi is drying out too fast, you can sprinkle some water (just a sprinkle) over it as it cooks.
Hey I wanted to ask I generally don’t eat garlic much how does it take without garlic
Hi Shobana,
Garlic is great if you like it…not so great if you don’t like it :). I’m sure it will taste fantastic even without the garlic.
Can I just say that I tried this for lunch today and it was AWESOME! I’m a big broccoli fan, so I’m always looking for quick and easy recipes using this amazing vegetable and this one was super easy and very tasty!
Could u be kind enough to post some recipes for bachelors. I mean some curry in a jiffy 🙂
Hi Gaurav,
We have a section for Quick Fixes: https://34.233.61.50/category/quickfixes
It is not comprehensive as there are some recipes that are quick but not in that section, but its a start. Good luck!
I tried this yesterday, it came out so good, Thanks for the recipe.
You guys are doing great job.
Good evening ladies,
Is “gram flour” the same thing as Besan? I ask because when I went to the Indian grocery store and asked for chickpea flour it was the gram flour to which I was directed.
Please keep up the great recipes. I am learning so much from the two of you.
A greatful fan, Rich
Hi Rich,
Yes, besan, chickpea flour and gram flour are just different names for the same thing.
My husband (like kids) never ate, broccoli cooked!!
I made this with mirchi ka salan, coz he likes spicy dishes!! And he said he liked broccoli.. I was amazed 🙂
Thanks, for this lovely recipe!! I like it when we are able to use usual grocery store veggies. It’s hard to run to Indian grocery store for me each week, to get veggies. I am super glad I searched your website!!
You girls Rock!!!
Thanks Kanwal! 🙂
Hetalji & Anujaji, ur kurti top/shirt color doesnt’ suit you gals.The lipstick color worn by Anujaji is so ugh!
The recipe looks yummly!
Luv,
Poo
Hi Hetal & Anuja,
our family loves broccoli. This sounds like a tasty recipe, will sure try it out tonight.
I always makes broccoli yogurt curry and my 5 year old loves it….
here is the recipe.
cut and wash the florets. Microwave for 4-5 minutes(2 1/2 and 2) until tender. Once cool down prepare and add seasoning(thadka — with ginger,garlic,hing,green chillis,cumin,mustard,turmeric,salt,curry leaves) and pour 1 cup of yogurt and mix well. You can eat just like that(put less chillies) or can eat with rice or roti.
Thanks DV! That sounds yummy!
What is the definition of “Cup” in your recipes.
Can you be a little more specific. Because some recipes are so dependent on the right proportion of its ingredients that an incorrect assumption on the readers part will result in a poor outcome.
That said, your website and your efforts are greatly appreciated. Keep up your good work! Keep up your friendship too forever!!!
Hi Aarthi,
We use a standard US cup which is 8 fluid ounces. It is a measuring cup, not a teacup.
Hello Hetal and Anuja,
Thanks for this reciepe. My family just loved this. I tried a seasoning called ” Garlic Fieasta” which made this taste more tasty. Keep rocking with your show 🙂
Thank you Hetal and Anuja for sharing my recipe.
You are very welcome foodieGal! Thanks so much for letting us share it.
I emailed you this recipe while ago!
thanks for the recipe. It came out really good.
Hi Hetal and Anuja!
I tried this recipe this weekend for lunch and it turned out to be very delicious. Thanks to you guys for letting us know the use of broccoli in the Indian kitchen. I love your recipes..they are just great..good going 🙂
I made this and came out very well. I also added a little bit of peas. Thanks girls.
Cool recipe! You can do the same with Zuccini – cooking time greatly reduced as Zuccini cooks really fast! that is super yummy too!
I enjoy your recipes! thanks for all the efforts and being soo calm when cooking! I am always in a hurry due to lack of time 🙂
regards
smita
Hi Smita,
Zucchini also sounds like a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
hi ladies
2 weeks are over and no new recipes whats the matter ?
This recipe looks like it will scale very well, important since I live alone and I’m always looking for easy ways to cook myself more veges. Think I’ll cut down on the cooking time, though. Broccoli should only take about five minutes total for just small florets.
Did you know that those stalks are tender and yummy? Just peel them and slice into planks. They take a little longer to cook than the florets so put them in a few minutes ahead.
Thank you for another interesting recipe. Cheers.
I did not know about the stalks. Thanks for sharing it with others.
I hardly cook broccoli as I hardly had any good recipes and I do not like it raw. I am planning to try this recipe tonight and will use the stalks also.
I tried this recipe. It was just amazing!! Loved it! I am planning to cook this more frequently and with other veggies too. I think besan did the magic! Planning to have this as a snack also. Thanks to H&A and the person who submitted the recipe. Just great!!!
Hi Kristin,
Yes, we use the stalks as well in our cooking however, this recipe was submitted by a viewer and she specifically instructed to use on the florets only.
I tried this recipe over the weekend and loved it. It was a big hit with the hubby so will be making it quite often and the best part is that it is so HEALTHY!
One request, I recently had tandoori vegetables at a restaurant and loved it. It’s just like tandoori chicken but with veggies (cauliflower, broccoli, onions, all kinds of bell peppers). Please add this on your longgggg list.
Thank you.
an awesome one.. a must try recipe
Hi
That looks yummy! I will try it out…Just a suggestion could you guys please put up a video on SURTI UNDHIYO..there are loads of videos on the internet but I want to try the SMTC version…im sure thats gonna be the best version…I have received lots of compliments for every recipe i have tried from your website…Thank you so much guys!!
Recipe sounds awesome…will try soon. Is this something called Zunka ?
Hello, thanks for this receipe. This first bite and my husband went hmmm.. this is good.
The entire credit goes to you two. Thanks.
Hey guys!
I want to say you guys are phenomenal and have been an inspiration to me! Please take the time to bookmark my budding blog, more so centered around a young Indian (Gujarati) girl’s perspective on Indian food, growing up in America! 🙂
http://verucaspice.tumblr.com
Love your site, and love that I can find traditional Gujarati recipes that I finally have grown to appreciate (over hot dogs, grilled cheese, and pizza) now that I’ve grown up. 🙂
Sincerely,
Nirali
Hi Nirali,
Thanks so much! Good luck with your blog…the shrimp cocktail recipe looks fantastic!
hi hetal,hi anuja,
wow,thanks for giving this recipe…it sounds great..surely want to try this..
This is such a good recipe. I’m sure gonna try this out!!
MMMMmmmmm….. This looks delicious!!!! My mother in law makes the besan mixture and puts in on top of brussel sprouts!!! Always the first vegie to be eaten 🙂
Thanks for the great recipes 🙂
Monique, please share the brussel sprouts recipe with us!!
ok now can you visit me ?
thank you
how to ensure that broccli is insect free?the green colour would hide them.
Hi Alka,
You would have to wash it really well. Sometimes, soaking it in salt water will help.
Soaking in vinegar too, will help in remooving insects
hi Hetal and Anuya, This recipe looks and even smells great ( I think )
Furthermore we can find this vegetable here easily and it is one of our favourite too. This is a different way of cooking it and very healthy too, I will try it tomorrow although I do not have asafoetida ,neither dry mango powder.But I hope it is still nice.Thanks again for showing us how nice can be adding a pinch of spice to our life¡¡¡¡
Hi Hetal and Anuja
I just made this for lunch now… and it was awesome.
Thanks for a for a such a foolproof and healthy recipe.
Changes I made …..
– used frozen packaged broccoli florets instead of fresh – turned out just fine.
– I used 1 cup of began – so that I could get more besany bits 😉
– omitted the asafetida and dry mango powder ( I’m a single guy – no exotic things in my kitchen …. yet!)
– threw in toasted coconut and sesasame seeds in the end (for more crunchy bits !!)
Yummiliciousness
Wow! Kalpesh,
Sounds awesome! Thanks for posting your feedback…maybe it will inspire other single men to try their hand at cooking :).
Dear Hetal and Anuja
I did not know Broccoli can be used for indian curry also. When i asked the vendor in the market he said used for soups,salads. I will definitely buy this and prepare it as it has Vitamin C and fibre.
Thanks a lot for sharing this recipe with us.
Chidambari
Pretty good. Get green veggie and protein at the same time….Thanks for sharing….Waiting to go to Supermarket to get the broccoli…Happy Thanksgiving to u ladies…
Thanks ladies: I will try it soon. Happy holidays. We just celebrated Holi and Navratri in Chicago.
Nice and delicious recipe.. thanks for sharing !!
This is agreat recipe. Thanks Hetal and Anuja.
Hi Hetal & Anuja,
I always used to wonder how to cook broccoli in a tasty way other than soup. Thanks so much for the wonderful recipe. Will try it right away…
Cheers
hi hetal and anuja
wow………broccoli in indian way,its awesome………i love the word broccoli besan pakoda………..yummy pls show us some thanksgiving recipes…..
Yes, I feel the same way. Broccoli in Indian way is great! I will definitely give this a try.
Anuja and Hetal, please tell us which other vegetables can be used with besan in a similar way?
I have tried with Bell pepper (Capsicum) and it turned out real good.
Thanks Anuja and Hetal. Hats off to you both!
Hi R,
Bell pepper is a great option. Usually, veggies that let go a little water will do well with this recipe.
Yeah, bell pepper is a great option. I’ve made this with green onions too, it’s yummy.
I tried with onions and it turned out yummy :->) Thanks SMTC and everyone else who responded with suggestions! As someone mentioned below, next time I am planning to add more besan to my dishes.
My mom used to make fenugreek leaf and besan sabzi but with little extra water.she also used to prepar s imeler sabzi with spring onion leaves and radish (muli) leaves.This used to make a good extra subzi.As you said brockly and besan subzy tests like brockly pakoda ,METHI leaves and besan also tests like methi pakoda.You can also prepare greated redish (white)and besan sabzi. I will ask my wife try brockly and besan.
Do it your self dude…….
woow… Wonderful recipe once again from the wonderful ladies !!! Thank you so much.
Hai gals,
awesome recipe..y u gals posting only one recipe per week..expecting atleast 2 from u gals..plz do post atleast 2 recipes..
Thanks in advance..
Saman,
gals are doing awesome job with once a week so far and creativity does take time and experiment of dishes…only if they approve of dishes then they post it! If I had my choice, I would like recipe once a day ! … but we are human and greedy, ….somebody might want twice a day since two big meals in a day!
anyways, gals, you are doing awesome job… I am a guy and have tried your recipes at my kids bday parties, thanksgiving dinners, other events and the reviews from everyone has been awesome… they think I am a whiz at cooking lol and should go on Master Chef…it should be you two try out for Master Chef … 🙂 …
Thanks so much for the feedback Sanjay (and the support) :).
hi Anuja & Hetal..
Thanks for this lovely and simple recipe… I started cooking and found that no besan … and tried it with corn flour… and it came so well… really yummy…. Thanks again…
Asha
🙂