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.