Cook just to the point of becoming tender. Steaming segments or florets takes 8 to 15 minutes; check to make sure you aren't overcooking. Stir-frying cooks a little more quickly, so it's important to check for tenderness as you cook.

To microwave, place in a microwave-safe baking dish with 1/2 cup of water; arrange with florets toward centre of dish. Cover with plastic wrap and cook at high (rotating the dish at half-time) for 8 to 10 minutes or until stem ends are tender. Let stand, covered, 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

As well as a staple of the raw vegetable platter, broccoli can be cut up small and incorporated into a vegetable pasta sauce, or even as the base of a flavourful purée or soufflé.

Broccoli is delicious sautéed with olive oil and garlic, then tossed with chopped walnuts or freshly grated nutmeg and black pepper. And it's superb stir-fried with other vegetables, meats and hoisin sauce, soy sauce or sesame oil.