From Freezer to Table: An Easy Frozen Broccoli Side Dish

A Simple and Delicious Frozen Broccoli Side Dish with a Ginger, Rice Vinegar, and Tamari Dressing.

Do you like broccoli, but don't like cleaning and cutting it? Use frozen broccoli for a no fuss, no mess experience. 

Even something as simple as frozen broccoli can be brought to life with an interesting sauce such as my ginger tamari combo.

Eating well doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, the best dishes come together with just a few ingredients and minimal effort.

I'm trying to eat lighter, healthier, and lose some weight. Therefore I'm sharing lighter recipes because that's what I'm eating. This quick and easy recipe highlights the natural goodness of broccoli with a flavorful Asian-inspired sauce that comes together in minutes.

With frozen broccoli, you can skip the washing and chopping while still enjoying all the healthy benefits of this nutrient-packed cruciferous vegetable. 

I am a natural vegetable lover and enjoy steamed broccoli totally plain- however, not everyone does. So I'm offering a way to make a simple dressing.

This simple recipe calls foe grating and combing some fresh ginger with rice vinegar with some naturally gluten free tamari sauce. The delicious flavor  will have you coming back for seconds.

I haven't tried this sauce combination on other vegetables, but it might work with cauliflower too. 

Enjoy over rice noodles, with tofu, or rice.

The Easiest Broccoli Side Dish

Ingredients:

1 bag of frozen broccoli florets (12 ounces)

2 cups of water- divided

2 tablespoons of rice vinegar 

2 tablespoons of tamari sauce (gluten-free)

1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger

Optional: Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

Heat a wide rimmed skillet, add broccoli and 1 cup of water. Cook on a high heat uncovered until broccoli begins to thaw somewhat (about 3 minutes). While broccoli is cooking in the skillet, grate ginger and mix together with the vinegar and tamari. Pour the mixture over the broccoli and allow to continue cooking another minute or two until broccoli is soft but still green. Add small amounts of water if needed to prevent burning.

Why Eat More Cruciferous Vegetables?

Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family, which also includes kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. These vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them an essential part of a balanced diet. They are especially known for their high levels of sulforaphane, a powerful compound that supports detoxification, may reduce inflammation, and may even help protect against certain diseases.

While fresh broccoli is always a great choice, frozen broccoli offers the same health benefits and is often even more convenient. It’s picked and frozen at peak ripeness, locking in nutrients and ensuring you always have a healthy option on hand. Plus, it cooks quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

The Convenience of Frozen Broccoli

Using frozen broccoli means you can whip up this dish at a moment’s notice, without worrying about washing, trimming, or wasting any unused portions. It also cuts down on prep time, making it an easy way to get more vegetables into your diet.

Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, this broccoli side dish proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes, you’ll have a vibrant, flavorful addition to your meal—

My Notes: 

1. Cooking frozen broccoli in a skillet uncovered for 3-5 minutes is perfect for firm green yet tender broccoli. 

2. This recipe is gluten-free, oil-free, and vegan.

3. I'm traveling til mid June, but I have set a few recipes set to publish automatically such as this one. 

Transatlantic Cruise and Wedding

I'm leaving Saturday May 3, 2025 for a 15 day transatlantic cruise on Virgin Cruise Lines . It leaves from Miami and ends in Barcelona. We will spend 8 consecutive days at sea and then we will stop at various ports including Casa Blanca, Morocco, 2 stops in the Canary Islands, 2 stops in Portugal, and end Barcelona. 

My nephew is getting married in Toledo, Spain the 3rd week in May. The transatlantic cruise was an add-on for us to get to Europe for the wedding. Believe it or not, it was about the same price as flying economy plus.

Our 15 day transatlantic cruise ends in beautiful Barcelona. From there we’ll hop on a scenic 2.5-hour train ride to Girona, Spain, where we’ll be spending three nights in a lovely Air BnB equipped with a washer and dryer, because I will need to do wash.

Girona is a captivating medieval town, known for its enchanting architecture, winding cobblestone streets, and postcard-worthy views. The historic Jewish Quarter, El Call, is one of the best-preserved in Europe, and the Girona Cathedral—with its dramatic Gothic design—is an absolute must-see. Fun fact: several scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed in Girona!

The city also boasts a fantastic food scene, from traditional tapas to gourmet experiences. With my limited diet, I hope I'll be able to find something to eat (gluten-free and vegan). I’m especially looking forward to strolling along the colorful houses lining the Onyar River and walking the ancient medieval walls. It’s the perfect blend of history, culture, and modern charm.

Next stop: Madrid!

From Girona, we’ll head to Madrid by train to explore Spain’s vibrant capital. My kids and grandkids visited last summer and couldn’t stop raving about it. We plan to dive into some of the city's world-class art and history, starting with the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía, and the Royal Palace. And of course—plenty of amazing food to enjoy along the way.

I've been flipping through the Bucket List of Europe book for inspiration—it's full of great ideas for things to see and do in each city. I highly recommend getting it if you plan to go to Europe. 

The grand finale: the family wedding in Toledo!

After five nights in Madrid, we’ll take a short train ride to Toledo for the highlight of our trip—our nephew’s wedding! We’ll be staying on a beautiful country estate for three days while celebrating with family who will be joining us from multiple countries.

I’ll be off the grid and soaking it all in until mid-June, so I won’t be visiting your blogs and commenting until I’m back. I do have a few blog posts scheduled while I'm away.

See you on your blogs in mid June! 💛

Transform The Way We Feel

We’re learning more every day just how much real, whole foods—such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and beans—may help transform the way we look and feel. The truth is, we can’t keep relying on processed foods and expect to feel our best. Far too many people are walking around with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. Isn’t it time we made the connection between the way we eat and our overall health?

Let me share a true story:

A close friend of mine went to the doctor about five months ago and received some concerning news—she was borderline diabetic, and her cholesterol and blood pressure levels were also elevated. On top of that, she was carrying an extra 60 pounds. In her mid-50s, she knew she didn’t want to become another statistic, dependent on medications that often come with their own set of side effects. So, she made a decision to take control of her health.

She eliminated sugar, white flour, and processed foods from her diet. She joined Weight Watchers to learn about portion control, and she started walking daily—an hour each day, side by side with me. Five months later, she’s 40 pounds lighter, and her latest blood work showed all her levels are now within a healthy range. She feels amazing, looks fantastic, and most importantly—she’s off all medication.

And she’s not alone. I know several others who’ve taken similar steps and dramatically improved their health, simply by changing their diet and lifestyle.

The biggest culprits? Processed foods with sugar, refined flour, plastics, unhealthy oils. Processed food and lack of movement. 

One simple and delicious way to help nourish your body is by making your own homemade soup using fresh vegetables. Soup is easy to make, packed with nutrition, and tastes wonderful. 

You can keep soup low in fat and calories, and high in fiber—making it super satisfying. It’s one of my go-to meals for maintaining a healthy weight. There’s no better time to treat your family to a warm, wholesome bowl.

Spring Soup: Delicious recipes

Spring Green Pea Soup (link to recipe)m

Creamy Asparagus Soup (link to recipe)

Italian Escarole Soup ( link to recipe)

Spring Asparagus Soup (link to recipe)

If you are a soup lover (like me) you might want to take a look at my soups cookbook with over 80 global soups recipes-all plant-based and most can be made in the Instant Pot. Easy Plant-Based Soups (link to Amazon) by Judee Algazi available on Amazon.

All of my recipes are gluten-free and plant-based 

My notes: 

The first photo is not my kitchen- but I really like the kitchen!!

Simple Tofu Scramble

Do you ever cook with tofu?

This versatile, plant-based protein has long been a staple in Asian cuisine. You might’ve come across it in miso soup or served atop stir-fried vegetables at your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Today, I’m sharing a super simple tofu scramble recipe.