We adore brussels sprouts. They have a crisp texture and great flavor, plus loads of health benefits. But not everyone shares our passion for these little Brassicaceae. Maybe it’s their scary reputation, or perhaps it’s because they’re so often served under-seasoned and over-boiled. Whatever the reason, we think it’s high time everyone discovered the joys of these tasty greens.
This week we’re sharing 7 sure-fire ways to make everyone fall in love with brussels sprouts. If you’re already a fan, you’ll find some fresh ideas for cooking them up. And if you’re not a fan, get ready to discover a new favorite vegetable.
1) Roast, Roast, Roast
Hands down our favorite way to cook sprouts. Cut the sprouts into quarters, drizzle with plenty of olive oil and salt, then cook at a high heat until they are super crispy. The caramelization of the leaves adds some sweetness, and the crunchy texture is irresistible.
2) Use Small Cuts
It’s hard to cook a whole brussels sprout without it turning into a soggy ball of greens. We like to cut ours into quarters or even smaller. That way everything cooks up with a great texture.
3) Think Mediterranean
Brussels sprouts have an assertive flavor that pairs wonderfully with the stronger flavors of the Mediterranean like capers, olives and balsamic vinegar. Some of our combinations are capers-walnuts-balsamic, lemon-feta-sage and red wine vinegar-oregano-Parmesan.
4) Give an Asian Spin
Even more than Mediterranean, we love sprouts with Asian flavors like a creamy sriracha aioli, simple sesame oil or a basil Thai sauce, as in these Thai Roasted Brussels Sprouts, above.
5) Keep Them Raw
Try shredding sprouts and building a salad around them. The crisp texture is perfect with any dressing, but we’re particularly partial to Parmesan vinaigrette.
6) Pair With Another Veggie
Brussels sprouts are bold, and you can tame them by pairing milder veggies like potatoes or cauliflower. The texture and flavor contrast is wonderful.
7) Make Them the Star
Rather than save sprouts for the corner of the plate, put them center of the stage by serving them with pasta, inside a tortilla or with udon noodles. It might sound scary for the sprout averse, but by making them the star of the meal, they’ll get the extra flavoring love that makes them irresistible.
Leave a Comment