From Ugly to Beautiful
and the
Best Brussels Sprout
Preparation
Brussels Sprouts are one of those
vegetables that are like a contraversial comic,
they are loved or despised.
The strong flavor.
The Most Hated Vegetable in America
In 2008 the Heinz corporation did a research,
and found that Brussels Sprouts were America's
most HATED vegetable!
The Times They Are a Changin'
However fast forward to 2023 and they are so popular that it
can be hard to find them in the grocery store, especially around holidays.
So from most hated vegetable to popular for your special holiday meal.
The strong chemical compounds in this member of the Brassica family,
like Broccoli and cabbage can be wonderful when cooked right.
The cutting of the sprout opens up the flavors as the cell walls are punctured,
making a case for always halving your B-sprouts.
But all wonderful potent flavors can be too strong when in abundance
but they are full bodied and satiating, even adictive when
handled right.
Brussels Sprouts can be that and more.
To Boil, Roast or Sear ?
I would say most folks anymore don't just boil Brussels Sprouts unless they
undercook them and then season a bit.
Vegetables can always be bland but that doesn't mean that
you have to put a lot of herbs and spices on them to make them
taste full bodied and "MUST have another bite".
No Need for Lots of Seasoning
They do need some good fat, like Olive oil or butter and they do need
some kind of salt, which could be cheese, or soy or as well as the shaker.
How Now Brown Sprouts?
Browning on the sprouts makes a caramelized crust,
There is not a lot of sugar in a Brussels Sprouts so you can brown it
very well without it getting burnt and bitter.
Not an ALL BROWN SPROUT
You want it to have the contrast of being green and crip on the outside and
the nice toasty crust on the cut flat end. It's hard to brown an "orb", so cutting in half
gives you that nice flat surface that will brown consistenly.
And the Winner Is ...
So my choice right now is the pan sear. I like the look of it
Yeah Sear Them Like a Steak!
Don't Skimp on the Oil
I know some are watching their calories from oil.
But just because you used
5 tablespoons of oil so that you brown the whole sprout half
and not just the center that sticks out a bit, doesn't mean you are
engesting 5 tablespoons of oil.
