Yes, boys and squirrels, back by popular demand itâs⊠Popstar vs A Vegetable! This is where we take a random garden variety vegetable and pitch it against your average popstar to decide who is better for your health: A popstar or a vegetable. Seems simple enough, right?
This week: Brad Simpson from The Vamps vs BroccoliâŠ
History
Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family, and is closely related to cauliflower. This is already a black mark in our book. However it does have its roots in Italy and its original name is Broccolo, meaning âcabbage sproutâ. Ooh, exoticâŠ
Brad comes from Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands and started out on YouTube uploading covers and original songs before he was discovered and plonked into The Vamps. Still though, Italy trumps West Midlands.
Brad â 0, Broccoli â 1
How to select and store
Choose broccoli with floret clusters that are compact and not bruised. They should be uniformly colored, either dark green, sage or purple-green, depending upon variety, and with no yellowing.
Brad comes fully formed as is and is at no risk of becoming yellow. Unless he becomes a Simpsons character of course.
Brad â 1, Broccoli â 0
How to enjoy
Broccoli:
- Toss pasta with olive oil, pine nuts and steamed broccoli florets. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Purée cooked broccoli and cauliflower, then combine with seasonings of your choice to make a simple, yet delicious, soup.
- Add broccoli florets and chopped stalks to omelets.
Brad:
Simply glance in the direction of the various Brad posters on your bedroom wall and gaze lovingly for desired amount of time until satisfied. Alternatively, retrieve iPod and select The Vamps for your listening pleasure. Easy peasy.
Brad â 1, Broccoli â 0
Health Warnings
Broccoli is sometimes referred to as a âgoitrogenicâ food, which means it can effect your thyroid function. Itâs too difficult to explain here but this piece of information basically confirms our worst fears all along: Broccoli is evil.
Brad on the other helps to release serotonin â the âhappyâ hormone â in the body every time we dance like loons on loon tablets to âCan We Danceâ, so I think we can agree itâs pretty much a no brainer on this one.
Brad â 1, Broccoli â 0
Chart placements of note
Brad and the rest of The Vamps have just scored their first US Top 10 album on the Billboard charts with the âSomebody To Youâ EP. Hurrah! However, donât discount broccoli just yet, as it is experiencing a rise in popularity (!) along with various other fruits and veg across the atlantic. Whoâve thunk?
Brad â 1, Broccoli â 1
Greatest Hits
Brad features on the popular hits âCan We Danceâ, Wild Heartâ and âLast Nightâ as part of The Vamps. Popular broccoli dishes include chicken with steamed broccoli and, er, not much else really⊠Looks like Brad snatches this round.
Brad â 1, Broccoli â 0
FINAL SCORE: Brad â 5 , Broccoli â 2
We tried, Broccoli, but youâre just too damn high maintenance really. Ultimately Brad is ready to go at any time and with our busy schedules, we just canât afford to be faffing around with your fancy foret clusters and whatnot. Soz.