When people tell me they don’t like Brussels sprouts, my response is the same as when people say they don’t like sex:
“Oh sweetie, maybe you’re just doing it wrong!”
In some ways, I realise I’m lucky in that Brussels sprouts didn’t really appear on our table when I was a child, so I have no traumatic childhood memories of them to sully my enjoyment now. But I know that there are loads of people who have fairly strong feelings to the contrary! From a kid’s perspective, they are very green (always a bad thing!) and if they are boiled, I can see how they woudl become scary – a pot of green water into which all nutrients have been leached; a distressing cabbagey smell; and little green nuggets that are in all likelihood a but mushy and tasteless.
Hmmm – where do I sign up for those. Not.
Luckily, by the time they appeared on our dining table, we had a microwave steamer, so we used to have them steamed with butter and black pepper, and done this way I always loved them. But I can see that if you are suffering from post-traumatic sprout disorder, steamed sprouts may not be sufficiently far removed from the mushy green nuggets of your youth… So allow me to suggest something else: sautee them!
It’s quick, it’s easy, and it brings out a delicious nutty flavour that you probably never realised that Brussels sprouts even had. Plus the sprouts take on a lovely caramelly hue that is, frankly, a lot more attractive than over-boiled grey-green. And if you still have some doubters in your midst, why not add in some bacon bits to the pan (because everything is better with bacon!).
So next time you do Brussels sprouts, make sure you do it right. 😉
Here are some other inspirations for delicious Brussels sprout dishes:
- Easy cheesy Brussels sprout gratin
- Brussels sprouts with Nduja and preserved lemon
- Leftover gammon and Brussels sprout risotto
- About 600g Brussels sprouts
- 4 shallots
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- olive oil
- vegetable stock cube/powder
- Clean the Brussels sprouts and cut each one vertically in half. Finely chop the shallots and crush the garlic.
- In a large flat-bottomed frying pan, heat enough oil to cover the base of the pan. Place the Brussels sprouts in the pan, cut side down, in a single layer. Scatter the chopped shallots and garlic over the sprouts.
- When the sprouts are just starting to caramelise (you will smell them), turn them over and cook for another 5 minutes or so.
- Add enough water to just cover the base of the pan with about 1mm of water and crumble half a vegetable stock cube into the pan (I used Kallo organic vegetable stock cubes). Give the pan a good stir and then allow to steam-fry until all the liquid has cooked off and the sprouts are tender. Serve hot.
Follow me every day in November as I complete National Blog Posting Month – a post a day, every day, for 30 days! Here’s what I’ve written so far.
I like sauteeing mine with bacon and a maple vinaigrette!
Funnily enough I’ve had cabbage since I was a kid and I have no idea what people are talking about when they mention a disagreeable smell. Hmm… Am I immune or is there something about the cabbages here?
So… The brussels sprouts look good, with the caramelization going on there 🙂
Mmmm yum – they are lovely looking brussels!
I do mine with bacon – equally yummy!
Wow what a suggestions! – Not overboil Brussell’s sprouts? Isn’t that against British traditions!
I’ve never even though about sauteing them, but I looks like a great make-over for their image. I don’t mind them but I’ve never raved about them before and would hardly ever buy them by choice, except perhaps for Christmas dinner, which for some strange reason seems to be traditional, as long as they’re boiled that is!
Put me in the category of “former Brussels sprouts hater”. It was only last year, when I read a similar recipe on 101 Cookbooks (sans garlic and shallots, and ending with a sprinkle of finely-grated Parmesan) that I realised there was more to the little green balls than a boiled cabbage smell. I substitute the stock with a splash or two of orange juice, and mix them with sauteed mushrooms, roast cherry tomatoes or pine nuts. Now to try bacon!
Sauteed brussels might be AOK in my books…better than the mush my mom would serve up:D
Oh Jeanne, your post is just in time for Thanksgiving and on the heels of a brussel sprout disaster! I roasted the little sprouts tonight but left them in a bit too long. They were overdone and bitter – barely edible with a splash of white wine. I’ll try again with your recipe.
So yup – I love your response about sex! And I agree – maybe they’re just not doing something correctly!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
“Oh, sweetie, maybe you’re just doing it wrong.” That’s good, Jeanne. Really good. I’m posting on Brussels sprouts soon and am definitely linking to this.
I am going to have to try these – we have a “situation” in our house, the husband LOVES brussel sprouts and the rest of us hate ’em. Hopefully this recipe will help 😉
You’re right, unless done right brussels sprouts can be a scary proposition. I love them, and usually roast them, which is also a good method. These look great, and adding garlic to anything is always a good idea!
My family hated brussel sprouts, I love it. I cook or steam them, until still crispy, but not raw. Add some lemon infused olive oil, salt, pepper and grated parmesan cheese……now my family loves brussel sprouts.. I’m going to try your recipe on them soon! I am sure they will love it!
Oh.. this is our favorite veggy (my son hates it) but my husband and I just love it. Sometimes, if I want to give him a healthy snack, I just give him a bowl of blanch brussel sprouts and gado-gado sauce. He loves it!
Boiled Brussels sprouts are enough to traumatise any small child for life, myself included. However, this year I am slowly coming around to the idea of trying a sprout again, so I shall leave my tastebuds in your capable hands and try this out next week!
Hi,
I just came across your blog in the wonderful nordjlus blog links and as soon as I saw the name I thought bet it’s south african and rightly so ! Now you’ve made me all nostalgic for koeksusters (I get a craving for them now and then and have not had one for more than 10 years as I now live in Paris (PARYS in France…)) I don’t know if the fact that the craving has been going on for so long has not exacerbated the taste that i remember and so I’m almost too scared to taste one again in case the idealized taste that I’ve been carrying around for so long in my imagination is somehow let down by the real thing !! However I did find the recipe on your blog (thanks !) and I might try them out if i’m feeling brave one of these days or maybe I’ll just keep on dreaming about them (easier on my hips)
Take care and keep up the good work
liz
I am also a reformed sprout hater and, unsurprisingly, it was sauteed sprouts that turned it around. I have since realised that you can eat nice boiled sprouts but they really need to still be a bit crunchy.
Like Brilynn, we invariably add bacon to our sautéed Brussels sprouts. And bread crumbs. And garlic – of course!
Have you tried separating the leaves and sautéeing them that way (a la Laura Calder, et al) They are quite delicious that way too.
(I am a former loather of Brussels sprouts, having been subjected to the over-boiled version for Sunday dinners. The introduction of bacon and a little wine vinegar converted me. So much that I cannot imagine not liking sprouts now. Unless they are over-boiled, mushy and greenish grey.)
I had the soggy sprouts as a child but have overcome that phobia (in fact I didn’t like most of the green veg I now love) – roasting is definitely a good way to eat them but I have found that a little cointrea and orange zest add to the sort of saute you have posted about – much better than honey which my mum used to try and disguise the taste with!
I too am a ‘former Brussel sprout hater’. Luckily, I’ve seen the light – this is a great way to serve them and sure to win over the sprout-loathers!
I’ve always love Brussels sprouts — even boiled. But I’m with you on all the great ways they can be made — especially when they’re prepared like yours. All those caramelly brown parts…Mmmmm…
caramelized (re: blackened) with garlic, and strips of onion and pepper…
… yeah.
Brussle sprouts have always been my favaorite.
I’m a Brussell sprouts convert as well. When they are prepared correctly, no one can resist them.
I am so pinching all these sprout recipes. They sound delicious.
Garlic and sprouts are a marriage made in heaven, I reckon. We usually do ours very lightly steamed and then sauteed with butter, garlic, S&P, orange rind and a splash of juice – then finished with toasted, chopped hazelnuts.
So, I’ve just made the sprouts. And, much as I hate to say it, they are good! Now, if only my boys would come home, I’d serve up Sunday lunch and see what they make of them. (Apparently ‘food at 2’ means ‘we assumed you’d be late, so started driving back at 2. Argh!!)
I do pretty much the same as you describe, but panchetta rather than bacon and then coat them in a creamy Gorgonzola sauce…my kids love ‘um
This is DELICIOUS! I loved brussel sprouts just boiled to death, but we won’t be doing that very often. Plus, the fresh sprouts (which I admit I had never purchased) were the same price and lasted a good bit in the fridge. There is no reason NOT to buy fresh. We are PUMPED about these sprouts!
Thank you so much for this recipe. It has literally been 30 years since I last ate a Brussel Sprout and that was when I hated them and was forced to eat them! Used your recipe tonight and wow, I’m definitely going to be eating more of these little things. My husband loves them in any form and he has made me promise to add them to my vegetable garden next summer.
I found your recipe after a Google search put your recipe right near the top of the list ….. saw your blog title and thought “bet she’s South African!” I left SA in 1996 and after much travelling around the US we’re now settled in Canada.
I’m looking forward to doing more browsing through your blog.
This recipe is a breath from heaven. It is absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for sharing it.
I think pecans,almonds and chestnuts are delicious with sprouts. The other day I peeled a handful of raw chestnuts and tossed them into the roasting pan alongside my leg of lamb.
The chestnuts took on a wonderful meaty glaze during the roasting of the lamb.
I then tossed the meaty chestnuts into my buttered sprouts…mmmm!
FABULOUS!!! I am a former brussels sprouts hater, but this recipe has reformed me. Nice with toasted pine nuts too. Can’t wait to make them again!
Really taken with the sauteing of sprouts. Then the recipe did the unforgivable. What is it with cooks and GARLIC!!!! It stinks. It makes people stink. It makes me want to throw up. Please give it a rest and send it back to the Europeans
Great Brussels Sprouts recipe. They came out absolutely fantastic, and was so easy to put together. Thanks so much for sharing and looking towards browsing your other recipes.
So beautiful!!! Great color!
We call them the “Devils Candy”. My mother in law would buy the frozen-Yuck. I sautee mine, add a little balsamic and seasoned almonds. It’s a must have during the holiday. Yum.
Would you mind if I used your recipe for a post I am working on in my blog? I will link credit to your site, of course!!
OMG, I am now a brussels sprout eater. I absolutely hated them, even as an adult. The funny story is that when momma would cook them as children, we had only 1 sister that would eat them, so of course, we all passed our serving to her – until we got caught. I would be the last one to leave the table because they were so awful!! Ok, many years later, I have a condition which requires that I quit eating most of the vegetables that I love 🙁 — so I am not so happy right. However, I need veggies (I don’t eat meat (but not a vegetarian, just don’t care for any of it)) and brussels sprouts are the recommended veggie (yuck) – instantly I became more unhappy by the second. So I knew I had to find a way to get my veggies — long story short – I came across this recipe, decided to try it – SUCCESS!!! I LOVE THIS RECIPE – THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!! Ok, Ok, my 11 year old daughter even loves them too. Oh, I added a vegetable herb seasoning to mine and fixed it with Pati’s rice and toasted angel hair: link below
http://patismexicantable.com/cgi-bin/mt5/mt-search.cgi?search=rice+and+toasted+angel+hair&IncludeBlogs=3&limit=20&x=0&y=0
These came out really good
Thankyou for the tips on the brussels sprouts, I’m looking forward to trying your recipe for lunch today!
Hope it went well 🙂
I love Brussels sprouts, and I’m happy not to have any bad memories of them, except when I’ve overcooked them by mistake.
As for people who say they don’t like sex, maybe they’re asexual.
Sauteeing Brussell Sprouts is definitely the way to go. They come out great and not mushy at all. Here is my quick recipe if anyone wants to create a variation. I peel, slice off the bottom, and make a small slit in the center of each half. I don’t know if this is a good or bad idea. I then blanch for ~1 minute and place in an ice bath. Once cooled, i place in a mixing bowl and add salt, pepper, garlic powder, any seasoning that you wish really, lemon, fresh/dry herbs. Heat a little oil in a pan and add the sprouts. Sautee for ~5 mins while flipping for an even cook. Eat and enjoy. As previously mentioned, you can add other ingredients or remove. Substitute fresh garlic for the powder. Using this basic method is sure to put a smile on your face come dinner time. ENJOY
Followed this to the letter and it was brilliant.
Great Brussels Sprouts recipe. Thank you so much, they look fantastic!
brussel sprouts
I did this by accident a few years ago and fell in love with this way to prepare them! I also added a little soy sauce, black bean paste, sesame oil and a dash of chili hot sauce – YUMMMMMMMMMM!
my wife got some fresh Brussels sprouts at the farmers market. they were still on the stock. everyone in our family loves these “small little cabbages”….. so we are going try your recipe tonight…..hopefully it will go good with our main course….
best ever brussels sprouts
Sometimes I add Parmesan to mine. Other times curry powder. Sautéed sprouts are lovely!
Hot damn! These are excellent!
Wow! Fantastic–my kids asked for more! Granted I only make them have 2 when we have Brussel Sprouts, but they’ve never, ever asked for more. I had been oven roasting them with garlic and olive oil, and I liked them. But this method is a revelation! Thank you so much.
Oh yes. Definitely one of my favorite ways to prepare them.
You have a very interesting site. I like the recipes and photos! Last year, at a church dinner I was exposed to what I think can only be described as the British way of cooking sprouts – boil the hell out of them, for 45 minutes. Perhaps this is to properly cook the worms in them (as last year the brit wasn’t going to even trim off the outer leaves), protein during the war no doubt. So this year I took matters into my own hands and did the sprouts, young, tender small beautiful pricey sprouts, properly prepped (soaking them in warm water with a little salt for awhile, trimming the stalks, removing a few outer leaves and rinsed cleaned to avoid worms). Unfortunately, this year the same lady adamantly insisted they be boiled 45 minutes. Fortunately, after 5 minutes I scooped out mine from the pot. The ones cooked longer were all bitter. Over-cooking makes brussel sprouts bitter! Ah, church dinners!
Your recipe looks delicious and I am going to try it soon! I have always loved sprouts!
Brussels sprouts are amazing cooked this way! I have never liked them before I tried them like this. Jeanne, thanks so much for your recipe!!!
🙂
Thank you for this recipe. It’s only the third time I’ve tried cooking Brussels sprouts and the first two times were horrible. This was super easy and delicious!
Delicious!The only thing i did i put some lemone juice over at the end!
People say the don’t like sex? Which people? You’re not asking kids that, right? 😀 😀 Nah, great recipe, cheers.
I never appreciated Brussell sprouts until I made this recipe. Love it! Everyone asks me for it.
I couldn’t have tried harder to stuff this recipe up. I used onion instead of shallots, under-cooked the flat side, over cooked the other side and poured in to much water – and yet the end result, messy and unattractive, was delicious. Great recipe.
Hahaha – thanks for the amusing feedback Trev! And always good to hear one of my recipes is bullet-proof 🙂
These Brussels sprouts are absolutely delicious and can recommend them to every one.
OK some of you – if you’re going to cook them, serve them, eat them, you might as well know the proper name for them: brussels sprouts (not brussell sprouts).
Thank you Jeanne for your recipe. It was simple, fun and easy to make. And it was also very delicious. Again thanks!
Nice to read
We adore brussels sprouts and are crazy about this recipe. Though bacon adds something else, it does detract from the delightful taste of the sprouts themselves. This recipe has become the ‘go to’ recipe in our home. Thank you.
Hi. Im make this recipe right now. It sounds great! But I was unsure if I should cover the pan at the end or not. I’m just going to wing it today, but for future reference, please let me know. Thanks!
Hi Jodi – I don’t cover the pan at the end – I just allow all the liquid to cook off. If they are then still not soft enough for your taste, add a little more liquid (but I like mine still to have some bite to them!)
These sound amazing! 🙂
I use to hate brussels sprouts!! Like many others my mom boiled them in to oblivion!! Until a friend introduced me to sautéing them with bacon!! It changed my world; I love them now!! Since some of my people don’t eat pork I have switched to Olive oil and butter they still taste great!!
Absolutely delicious!!!
I tried this recipe tonight, and it came out great! I used chicken stock since we didn’t have any vegetable stock. I also seasoned with salt and pepper while the sprouts were caramelizing. Delish!
My friend died last Sunday. She had a “massive heart attack.” How could this be? She had a huge garden and ate more vegetables than anyone I know and she wasn’t very old. Only 65, my age. She almost always brought brussel sprouts to our yummy book group gourmet dinners. We are meeting tomorrow without her (of course) to memorialize her enormous heart and her fabulous vegetables. I’m bringing the brussel sprouts. Think I’ll try the saute with garlic and shallots. I might add a little ginger and soy sauce. What do you think? Her name was Sierra. We loved her a lot. She loved cheese and good red wine.
Great recipe. I used garlic powder with Vidalia onions on top during the carmalisation process instead of crushed garlic/shallots. It turned out sweet like I added sugar. Really good….a keeper for sure!
Yep, so much better sauteed. Especially if you add something like eggplant. You’ve got the nutty sweet flavor of the sprouts with the tart mushroomy flavor of the eggplant, add a little lemon pepper, and oh my.
Good suggestion.. i will try
Oh my dear goodness I absolutely loved your article. It was simple, sweet, and straightforward. Just what I love! I feel so inspired to get down in the kitchen with my Brussels sprouts! Lol thank you so much! You’ve saved me from dinnertime cooking misery. blessings
I loved these when I made them last week… Am doing it again tonight… This time, the four year old gets to have some, rather than me making a small batch and hogging them all! I used onion instead of shallots, and pre-minced garlic and it was delicious!
Ok, the four year old judged by the looks, but I got him to try them anyway and he liked them! I again used avocado oil, onion, added salt and pepper as well as crimini mushrooms…. Delicious. Oh, and I used “better than bullion” chicken flavor stock instead of a dry cube of veggie stock.
To take them into another taste trip [umami] ,add a Tbsp of nuc mam, Vietnamese fish sauce. Do the recipe as it is, and add the nuc mam during the sautee, will make it a flavor feast…
Great recipe. I added the bacon and just before serving a little lemon juice. When I was a little tot, my German parents would add brussel sprouts to stew and cook it to death. I hated their smell and taste. Even when they made them in a roux with onions. Your correct, I suffer from sprout disorder.
Looks and sounds delicious, will cook them today with a little bacon added
Thanks