Brussels Sprouts!

[Susan Otcenas]

I always thought I hated them. On the other hand, I don't think I'd eaten them since childhood, when they were most likely presented to me overcooked by my mother.

Soooo, the other night, a friend invited us over for dinner, and served steamed brussels sprouts as part of the meal. So, I gamely served some up for myself and, lo and behold, they were prettty good!

As I was preusing the veggie aisles at the grocery store this week, I happened upon a 2 lb bag of brussels sprouts, so I scooped them up and brought them home. Last night, I roasted 1/2 pound (tossed with a little olive oil, kosher salt & black pepper) for 30-35 minutes @ 400 degrees, shaking the pan every 5-7 minutes. They came out FABULOUSLY.

Who woulda thunk that I'd actually be looking forward to making myself brussels sprouts again for dinner???

[SadieKate]

Yummmmmmm. :)

My childhood b-day dinner menu - porkchops with applesauce and brussel sprouts. So, I was a tad weird. Ok, still am.

[Adventure Girl]

Brussels sprouts have an undeserved bad reputation! Lots of people think they hate them. I have made it a personal goal to open their minds. I often serve brussel sprouts when I have guests for dinner. About 80% of the time people have that same reaction, "I thought I hated them"!

They are soooooo yummy!

[Susan Otcenas]

I often serve brussel sprouts when I have guests for dinner ..... They are soooooo yummy!

Do you have any special ways to prepare them? I'm open to ideas. Although I must say that roasting them was a really tasty way to prepare them.

[alpinerabbit]

I steam them for about 15 mins in my double vegetable steamer. They have to still be bright green, but a paring knife has to pass into them.

Then I add a bit of butter, sugar and chickcen stock (concentrate) to a cup or so of the steaming water, in the bottom half of the steamer* and turn them around in that. done.



*that's just my regular pot with a matching steamer thingie added on top - like so:
http://www.siebershop.de/catalog/images/article_5611_1.jpg

[uk elephant]

I've sauteed them with a bit of chicken stock, bacon and a sprinkling of toasted pine nuts. Turned out delicious.

Hmm....I may have to pick some up myself now that I'm only cooking for me for a few more weeks. BF does not like them unfortunately.

[snapdragen]

I've tossed them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then roasted them with some onions.

I'm the only 'sprout lover in the house, so I have a supply of these on hand--single serving baby brussel sprouts (http://www.birdseyesteamfresh.com/vegetables/detail.aspx?prod=vegSinglesBrussel)!

[Karma007]

Roasted w/garlic- yum!

[Grog]

Add a little bit of maple syrup when you toss them. Mmmm!

[GLC1968]

I roast mine, too. Olive oil, garlic, sea salt, pepper...whatever I have on hand, really.

At Christmas, I actually had a few left over so I threw them in our vertical chicken roaster (with carrots, potatoes, parsnips, etc) and they were delicious!

[maillotpois]

DH cuts them in half and sautes them with garlic and a little hunan chili sauce. YUM.

[Kalidurga]

My childhood b-day dinner menu - porkchops with applesauce and brussel sprouts. So, I was a tad weird. Ok, still am.

I never had this specifically for my birthday, but it was always one of my favorite combinations. And, yeah, I'm weird, too.

[Susan Otcenas]

Wow, all these variations sound fabulous! I'm looking forward to trying several of them. Thanks!! Fortunately, Jeff liked them enough last night that he's perfectly happy with me making them again. Lucky me. :)

[SadieKate]

Yeah, lucky you. Bubba likes brussels sprouts somewhat but can't stand the smell of them cooking. So I'm always scouring restaurant menus or planning for days when he's out of town.



I never had this specifically for my birthday, but it was always one of my favorite combinations. And, yeah, I'm weird, too.Too weirdness. :D

[PscyclePath]

I learned to eat them (along with a lot of other stuff I'd never heard of) in the college cafeteria, of all places. Now they're one of my favorites.

Others have posted with good suggestions... I like to steam them, or sometimes cook them in a little water with chicken stock, a squirt of olive oil, a pinch of brown sugar and about a capful of cider vinegar, and a couple slabs of BACON!

I didn't like spinach at all either, until I learned that the derned stuff didn't always have to be boiled down like turnip greens... Now it's one of my other favorites, (as long as it's not boiled ;-) )

[RolliePollie]

I steam them for a couple of minutes, then cut them in half and saute them in olive oil with garlic, onion, and salt & pepper. They kind of get a sweet flavor from the sauteeing. Very yummy. Makes me want to go to the store and buy some right now!

[Biciclista]

nothing's better than brussels sprouts topped with a bit of sharp cheese!

incredibly delicious!!

[badger]

I had some last night. I love them! In fact, there aren't many vegetables that I don't like, but one I do dislike is garlic, especially raw. I know, I'm weird :)

[Pedal Wench]

DH cuts them in half and sautes them with garlic and a little hunan chili sauce. YUM.

I slice them thinly and do the same, but saute in sesame/chili oil

[Zen]

I dip mine in chocolate.
Then I throw them away.

[snapdragen]

I dip mine in chocolate.
Then I throw them away.

God love ya Zen! :D:D

[maillotpois]

Wow - its as if he's a mind reader. DH went out and got fixings for dinner and got a bag of brussels sprouts!! :D

+1 - nice one zen... :cool:

[Susan Otcenas]

I made the roasted brussels sprouts for Jeff's sister, her husband and their young children last night. Everyone loved them, even the kids. Jeff's sister said these would be her new guilt-free "french fry".

[Eden]

I think *a lot* of veggies get a bad rap because our moms (or whoever first cooked something for us) cooked them poorly... (or simply poured them from a can)

I used to think broccoli, carrots and asparagus (not to mention brussels sprouts) were nasty... mainly because I'd never had them not boiled within an inch of their little veggie lives...

[PamNY]

Brussels sprouts from the farmer's market are wonderful. If any sprout-lovers haven't yet had them farm-fresh, definitely give them a try. They look so striking on the stalk, I've been tempted to make a centerpiece. But I always eat them first.

Pam

[malkin]

Before I owned a proper steamer I'd steam them in a cast iron frying pan. One fateful evening, I was distracted by my toddler and all the water boiled out of the pan, and the brussels sprouts browned and blackened a bit on the outside. I made a desperate glance around the kitchen for something to salvage them, and grabbed the Grand Marnier and gave the pan a few splashes.

Even my distracting toddler liked them.

[Trekhawk]

I dip mine in chocolate.
Then I throw them away.

Snort!!:D:D

[jesvetmed]

OK... this is a challenge for me! I've HATED / DESPISED them since a kid. Yes, my mother overcooked everything, and I think other friends' mothers did too. SO... I'll go out on a limb sometime this week and try them your ways... afterall, olive oil, spices and especially garlic and cheese. Now if I put all of those together, I may actually not even notice the stuff under it all! For me it was texture -- maybe my tastebuds have changed. I'll let you know.

[OakLeaf]

For me it was texture

But texture is ALL in the cooking. They don't get mushy until they've been autoclaved. Properly cooked, they're like delicate little cabbages, with a sort of gamier, nuttier flavor. You'll definitely need a knife to cut into them. (You've had cabbage that hasn't been autoclaved, yes?)

[bikerz]

I am a brussel spout evangelist also. When I was a poor college student in Santa Cruz, brussel sprouts were the deal of the century when they were in season. Plus the word "sprout" makes me smile.

I like them partially steamed, cut in half lengthwise and sauteed with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving. This dish has converted many a brussel-sprout-hater!

Another way to serve them a little "under the radar" is to cut the sprouts in half lengthwise, then cut them cross-ways into thin strips (so they look like slaw), then saute as above.

Bacon/pancetta and/or nuts (pine nuts, pecans) are also good with them. I think sage goes well if using pancetta.

Yum - today we get our organic veggie box - hope there are some sprouts in it!

[spokewench]

I dip mine in chocolate.
Then I throw them away.

I hope it wasn't good chocolate - what a waste!:D

[shootingstar]

This recipe which is Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios and Lemon looks good:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sauteed-Brussels-Sprouts-with-Lemon-and-Pistachios-241353

We merely steam brussel sprouts at this time. But this looks like something worthwhile to try and so easy.

[kjay]

My hubby steams them with a lot of rosemary, which permeates the brussel sprouts — an entirely new combination for me but my favorite now.

[7rider]

I often serve brussel sprouts when I have guests for dinner.
...
They are soooooo yummy!

Hmmmm.....
And how do you prepare your guests?? ;):p
jk

[smilingcat]

My brussel sprouts arn't making any brussel sprouts. leaves keep opening up and no knobby sprouts are forming. And all the leaves have gigaenormous holes from the snails. I'm not about to use pesticide in my yard.

Is the weather too warm or is it too much sun? what am I doing wrong??

smilingcat

[Grog]

I looked for brussel sprouts yesterday, to no avail.

We had leek braised in orange and ginger juice.

[msincredible]

I love mine just roasted with a bit of olive oil. :)

[snapdragen]

My brussel sprouts arn't making any brussel sprouts. leaves keep opening up and no knobby sprouts are forming. And all the leaves have gigaenormous holes from the snails. I'm not about to use pesticide in my yard.



I know nothing about growing 'sprouts, but I do have a snail suggestion. Snails hate copper, most garden shops sell copper barriers (http://www.groworganic.com/item_PBR652_SnailBarr_Copper_Barrier_3_x_100.html) that you can put around your plants. As long as there are no leaves reaching over the barrier the snails cannot get to your plants.

[malkin]

Offer the snails a beer!

[Dianyla]

Ooh, thanks to this thread, I decided to try brussel sprouts again. I roasted them with oil, salt, and pepper, and then deglazed the pan with balsamic vinegar. They were so tasty! :D

But why didn't anybody warn me about the gaseous effects! I've been ripping 'em off all day and it's really quite horrible. :eek:

[Susan Otcenas]

But why didn't anybody warn me about the gaseous effects! :eek:

Interesting that you should mention this.... Being new to brussels sprouts myself, I had no idea.... But I've made them 3 times now, with the same results each time. GasEx seems to help. But I wonder if there's a way to prepare them that might mitigate this effect.

[Eden]

They are a brassica - close relative of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower... I'm not sure there's much that can be done about their resultant emissions (but remember those smelly chemicals are part of what makes them very healthy to eat!). Does anyone know if Beano has any effect?

[ClockworkOrange]

I hope it wasn't good chocolate - what a waste!:D

I bet she licked the chocolate off first!

Hehehe, just for a giggle:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3231745481_e300d2d54e_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3231745487_002aa07dce_m.jpg


'brussel sprout' anagrams to 'or superb s l u t s.'!!! :eek:

Clock in bored mood! :rolleyes:

[Dianyla]

They are a brassica - close relative of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower...
The thought had occurred to me while cooking them, but I wasn't too worried because I can usually eat broccoli and cauliflower without ill effects.

I'm not sure there's much that can be done about their resultant emissions (but remember those smelly chemicals are part of what makes them very healthy to eat!). Does anyone know if Beano has any effect?
Beano should theoretically help, since my (too late!) googling has turned up that sprouts contain raffinose (the same indigestible sugar in beans). Although, Beano doesn't work reliably for everybody.

[shootingstar]

Still even if brussel sprouts might cause abit of gas (I don't eat them every wk. so I haven't kept track), they are worth trying with very little effort and seasoning.

After all, we've had sauerkraut for ages...not sure if sauerkraut regularily causes gas...but you get the drift.

[TxDoc]

Who woulda thunk that I'd actually be looking forward to making myself brussels sprouts again for dinner???

Try them au gratin with bechamel sauce, and you will soon become addicted!
:D

[cylegoddess]

apple cider vinegar! yum!

[shootingstar]

This recipe which is Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios and Lemon looks good:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sauteed-Brussels-Sprouts-with-Lemon-and-Pistachios-241353

We merely steam brussel sprouts at this time. But this looks like something worthwhile to try and so easy.

I prepared this recipe today..delicious.

[Owlie]

I saute them with garlic and a bit of onion or bacon, or I roast them with olive oil, bacon, a little salt and lemon juice. And I love them. A bit of a paint to prepare because I need someone to hang around with me and pull all the outer leaves off and help me slice the things, but worth it. So worth it.

I was a kid whose mother (and father) overcooked the veggies--boiled the poor things to death, they did. I now can't stand the thought of a boiled vegetable. I like mine crunchy, so they get lightly steamed or sauteed or roasted (okay, that doesn't result in crunchy veggies, but roasted carrots with a bit of ginger...)

Edit: and yay for me not paying attention to the fact that this was a year-old thread. It should have struck me as odd that a four-page thread about sprouts just sprang up out of nowhere.

[shootingstar]

No need to start up a 2nd brussel sprouts thread. So I went rummaging around in the attic. :D

History has relevance..or are we so fixated on just topics 3 days old? :)

[papaver]

I love them in the most simple way: boiled al dente, then sauteed in some butter. Pepper and nutmeg...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Catrin]

I love them in the most simple way: boiled al dente, then sauteed in some butter. Pepper and nutmeg...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Yummy! Sometimes I just steam them and sprinkle whatever spices on them that seems good at that moment.

[bmccasland]

Bring this thread forward to another year...

Yesterday I had lunch in our cafeteria - pot roast, roasted new potatoes, and vegie choice - corn or brussel sprouts. Now the corn was just plain corn, and I already had a starch... and the cook was offering everyone his brussel sprouts. Well I happen to like brussel sprouts and they did look interesting.

Brussel sprouts, chopped apple, dried cranberries, walnuts, and the sauce tasted like it had apple juice. They were wonderful! I could have had two servings. :D The brussel sprouts were sauteed, and definietly not "cooked to death."

The pot roast was fork tender and tastey too.

[channlluv]

Wow, I want to come eat at your school!

Roxy

[bmccasland]

Wow, I want to come eat at your school!

Roxy

Not a school, but an office cafeteria - and not a "big bucks" joint either. Trust me on this, the office is a former Ford plant, vintage 1940s. "Fairlane Cafeteria"

[channlluv]

Oh, that explains it, then. Food for grownups. :)

[malkin]

We just came home from the store with some "Brussle Sprouts" as the label says. Or should I say "lable?"

[withm]

I made these the other day - pretty good!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/dining/28mini.html?_r=1


Scroll down to see the video - Mark Bittman is wonderful

[FunSize]

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/caramelized-tofu-recipe.html

Tofu and brussel sprouts! Doesn't even taste like you're eating either!

[emily_in_nc]

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/caramelized-tofu-recipe.html

Tofu and brussel sprouts! Doesn't even taste like you're eating either!

Oh my, that looks and sounds heavenly! I'll have to try it. I haven't had brussel sprouts in literally decades, but I'd bet I'd like 'em in this. Thanks for posting!

[eofelis]

I do things as simple as possible --> frozen brussel sprouts, microwaved for a few minutes in a covered bowl (steam them), eat plain. yummy.
The bf doesn't like them at all.

[eofelis]

sorry double post

[marni]

bizarre as it sounds- I used to gag on brussels sprouts until I learned to cook them in coconut milk. Can't say I absolutely love them over every thing else, but I will eat them willingly which makes dh who loves them, very happy.