Eat a Rainbow: Steamed Broccoli with Caramelized Onions & Pine Nuts

By Kristen Rasmussen, MS, RD

Help your body repair the damage caused by aging and the environment by eating antioxidants. Deeply colored fruits, vegetables, and other naturally colored foods are rich in a variety of micronutrients that act as antioxidants, so eat a rainbow to guarantee you’re getting enough. For this month’s Well Being Challenge, we’re encouraging you to eat a meal containing fruits, vegetables, and other naturally colored foods from three different color groups at least once a day. To show off your beautiful and healthy meal, post photos of meals containing at least three different color groups on our Facebook page wall.

Here’s an easy, tasty recipe to get you started!

Steamed Broccoli with Caramelized Onions & Pine Nuts
Serves 6

•    3 tablespoons pine nuts or chopped slivered almonds
•    2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
•    1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium)
•    1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
•    4 cups broccoli florets
•    2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
•    Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Toast pine nuts in a medium dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool.

Add oil to the pan and heat over medium then include onion and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat as necessary, until soft and golden brown (10-15 minutes).

Meanwhile, steam broccoli until just tender (4-6 minutes). Transfer to a large bowl. Add nuts, onion, vinegar and pepper; toss to coat. Serve immediately.