Now, as we're in the business of enjoying food the good old fashioned way, purple sprouting broccoli (or PSB) is a sure sign that spring has sprung. Here's some ways to enjoy this beauty of a brassica.
A lover's guide to purple sprouting broccoli
Colour fix flash pan
To keep PSB's lush purple hue, griddle, grill or quickly stir-fry it. Steaming and boiling washes its colour away. Stir-fry with things like ginger, soy sauce, lime juice and cashews.
Eggs & sprouting soldiers
Grill a few stalks of PSB till just tender. March them straight into the sunshine yellow yolk of a soft boiled egg. Use duck eggs if you can get them (they're bigger). Or dunk grilled florets into a melty whole baked brie.
Sidewalk salad
Griddle your broccoli in a dry fring pan till toasty and just tender. Eat the tips, tender stalks (compost any woody bits) and leaves with fresh crab, herbs, chilli and lemon vinaigrette.
Fish for compliments
Melt some oil or butter with a couple of tinned anchovies, add a good grind of black pepper and a touch of lemon juice and zest. Coat grilled or roasted PSB in the sauce. Cap with a poached egg if you've got one.