RECIPE: Quick Pickled Broccoli Stem Salad (from Body Harmony by Nicole Berrie)
The town I grew up in has a famous joint called Baumgart’s Café, which was part retro American diner, part Chinese restaurant. They are known for their ice cream sodas, burgers and fries—and dumplings. With the dumplings came this tangy broccoli stem salad that was so incredibly tart, so incredibly crunchy and garlicky, that I’ve always wanted to re-create it. They’ve since taken it off the menu, so here is your only chance.
Serves 1 to 2
INGREDIENTS
Stems from 2 to 3 heads broccoli, or 1 to 2 cups (150 g to 300 g) sliced broccoli stems
½ cup (120 ml) white rice vinegar
½ cup (120 ml) filtered water
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons coconut sugar
1 teaspoon grated ginger
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
Optional
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Chili flakes
Black sesame seeds
Fresh cilantro leaves
Flaky sea salt
METHOD
Peel the rough outer layer of the broccoli stems using a vegetable peeler or paring knife. Thinly slice the peeled stems on a diagonal. You don’t want them paper thin, but they shouldn’t be too thick either. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, water, salt, sugar, ginger, and garlic. Add the broccoli stems and let sit in marinade to pickle for 30 minutes or overnight.
Drain the stems. Drizzle with the oil and top with the chili flakes, sesame seeds, cilantro, and salt, if using. Serve. You can let the stems sit in the pickling solution in an airtight container for up to a week.
Founder of the popular lifestyle brand Bonberi, Nicole Berrie presents a guide to food-combining for a healthier, more balanced life
In Body Harmony, Nicole Berrie reveals how she personally transitioned from the partying years of her teens and twenties to the fast-paced world of fashion and media, eventually settling into a thriving and balanced life and career in wellness. Sharing recipes, advice, and thoughtful guidance, this book is an inspirational lifestyle manual and cookbook dedicated to those seeking the ever-elusive answer to how to nourish themselves with clean, plant-based foods while still indulging in the joys and delicacies of life.
In the introductory chapters, Berrie outlines the founding tenets of the Body Harmony lifestyle and discusses topics ranging from plant-based cooking and intuitive eating to the importance of nontoxic beauty rituals and self care. In addition, the book includes more than 50 original vegan recipes for juices, smoothies, salads, and soups, and grounding grain-based dishes, all meant to cleanse and nourish the body and soul while keeping the reader both pretty and full.
For more information, click here.
