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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Brussel Sprouts - bleck or yummy?

I say yummy! But, you have to know how to cook them!

When I was in high school, I was curious about those cute little cabbage looking veggies. How could everyone hate it so much when it is so cute? I asked my mom to buy some so I could try them. Being the good mom that she is, she obliged, knowing full well that I would hate them. She bought a bag of frozen brussel sprouts that I popped in the microwave, pulled out with great anticipation, took a bite, and went right to the sink to spit it out.

Fast forward a few years later. I was at a little cafe downtown with some girlfriends and  the vegetable served with my meal was none other than brussel sprouts. Being the adventurous eater that I am, and again being drawn to the cuteness of a brussel sprout, I took a bite. Holy Moly, they tasted delicious!

Fast forward again a few years, to just a few weeks ago when I received brussel sprouts in my bountiful basket. I remembered from a few years back that they DID have the potential to be good. I just needed to prepare them correctly. I did some research and now I'm going to pass this yumminess onto you!

Step 1: Peel the top layer of leaves off the sprout, and if the base of it is really large, chop it off.

Step 2: Cut those bad boys in half, and if they are really large cut them in thirds or fourths. You basically want them all to be similar in size so they cook at the same pace.

Step 3: Slice the base of the sprout as shown in the picture. I twisted my knife a little to open it up. This will allow the base which tends to be more firm than the top leafy part to cook at the same speed as the top.

Step 4: Boil those babies. I boiled them for about 5 mins.

Step 5: Saute some onions in a little butter.

 Step 6: Drizzle a little red wine vinegar in with the onions and then saute the brussel sprouts for a few minutes.

Enjoy! Brussel sprouts are now one of my very favorite veggies, and I hope they will be yours too.

~marisa

14 comments:

Lee Ryan said...

excellent! I'll have to give that a try. I have to admit though, I'm ok with simply steaming them and then - with the application of sufficient butter and salt - eating them.

(though I suppose pretty much anything can taste 'ok' if you drown it in stuff that isn't good for you...)

Mike said...

They are also good if you toss them with balsamic vinegar and then broil them in the oven.

Rachel said...

No need to boil! Sautee them until browned (mmm carmelization) with garlic, onions and BACON! Then serve with some balsamic.

I think with any vegetable it's all about preparation. I can't stand most boiled veggies, but sauteed ones are always delicious. I feel that a lot of people don't like vegetables because they've never had them prepared right.

Amy @ Yard to Fork said...

I love brussel sprouts! Here's my tried and true favorite way to prepare them -- it's all about the sausage and the dijon dressing!
http://yardtofork.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/st-patricks-day-brussel-sprouts/

Conny said...

That's a great improvement to what I've always done: which is steam them and top with butter and nutmeg. Look out [my] family, here come more brussels sprouts!

Thanks. :>)

Unknown said...

I'm so glad to see other brussel lovers out there!

Proverbs Thirty One Woman said...

I steam them whole. That's all. We love 'em. It should also be noted that store bought Brussel sprouts are much more bitter - and tough - than home grown.

Jenny said...

Grew them for the first time last year and they ended up very small. My husband threw them into a soup he was making and they were delicious! Hoping to grow tiny ones this year too.

Konnie said...

I agree with Rachel. I also love vegetables roasted

MAYBELLINE said...

Yuck. I don't like the smell nor taste of sprouts. I did attempt to grow them last fall for others that enjoy them. No success. I understand they rarely grow successfully in Bakersfield, CA.

PickingUpStitches said...

I love brussel sprouts, and since the first ones I tried were fresh, I liked them the first time I tried them.

Frozen brussel sprouts are awful.

karisma said...

Meh! I love them as they come, but they are also awesome with a little mint sauce. My kids will tolerate them drowned in gravy or in a curry (this was a one off and they begged me not to make it again LOL) the oldest however finally took to eating them naturally at age 21, her father however cannot be convinced! Hmmm!

courtneyb said...

I love brussel sprouts as well. I like mine sliced thin and then sauteed with shallots, garlic, olive oil and white wine.
I grew some this year but my chickens got to them, BTW chickens love brussel sprouts also.

Unknown said...

Gonna have to try this one for sure. I have never had brussel sprouts. Just have never had the opportunity...even in childhood. So, I feel like I need to for my kids :) This looks really good!