The rap on vegetarian recipes in the 1970s was that many were so loaded with cheese and butter that they might as well have been desserts. Not so these days. “Nowadays the ingredients we can get are so great that you don’t even have to do anything to them,” says Mollie Katzen, author of The Moosewood Cookbook (my first cookbook, and perhaps yours). In her new cookbook,The Heart of the Plate: Vegetarian Recipes for a New Generation, she demonstrates what she means. Here, she makes herSmoky Brussels Sprouts and Onion recipe:
For ingredients and step-by-step instructions, see below:
Photographs by John Merkl.
Above: This is a perfect weeknight dish because you can trim, slice, and blanch the brussels sprouts a few days ahead–on Saturday or Sunday, when you are feeling relaxed–and store them in the refrigerator until you need them.
Above: Mollie trims off the bottoms of each sprout, then halves or quarters it depending on its size. But no pressure. “If that seems like too much work, leave them whole,” she suggests.
Above: The secret to this recipe is patience: let the blanched sprouts sit undisturbed in the skillet until they get brown and crispy. Then stir in some softened onion, wait a few more minutes, and serve.
Above: The Heart of the Plate is $23.78 from Amazon.
Smoky Brussels Sprouts and Onion
Adapted from Mollie Katzen’s The Heart of the Plate
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup onions, chopped and sauteed until soft
- 2 pounds 5-minute-blanched, halved or quartered Brussels sprouts
- 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon (negotiable) or more smoked paprika and/or chipotle powder
- Up to ½ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper
Instructions:
Put on a large pot of water to boil. Meanwhile, trim and halve or quarter the sprouts (unless tiny) and add them to the water when it boils. Let them simmer for from three to five minutes, or until mostly tender. Drain them thoroughly in a colander, shaking them dry.
Place a large (10- to 12-inch) skillet over medium heat and wait about a minute, than add 2 tablespoons of the oil and swirl to coat the pan. Sprinkle in the paprika and/or chipotle powder, spreading the seasoning into the oil to get the flavor distributed.
Add the drained Brussels sprouts, using tongs to arrange as many of the sprouts as your patience permits cut-side down. Sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon of the salt, and let the sprouts cook, moving and rearranging the sprouts occasionally –scraping the pan, as necessary–for about eight minutes, or until they become soft and shaggy . To check on their smokiness, pull out and taste a leaf. If you want deeper flavor, sprinkle in more powder, directly onto the sprouts, and mix it in.
Push some of the sprouts aside to make a little space, then add the sauteed onions, along with an additional drizzle of oil. Salt the onions lightly, and cook for another five to ten minutes, stirring often, until the sprouts are deeply colored and the onions are shiny and sweet. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.
Optional Enhancements:
- Top each serving with olive oil-fried eggs.
- Deglaze the pan with bread crumbs or a thick slice of fresh bread. (Add some extra oil to the pan, scraping into it some of what might have stuck, and toast the crumbs or bread directly in this flavor bonanza.)
- Diced potatoes (up to ½ pound) can accompany the Brussels sprouts all the way from the cutting board to the blanching water to the skillet.
- Throw in some spinach (a few handfuls of clean baby leaves) when you add the onion.
- Top the dish with diced ripe, sweet tomato in season (or halved, very sweet cherry tomatoes).
- Drip on a few drops of red or white wine vinegar or serve with a squeeze-able wedge of lemon.
- Add up to a teaspoon minced or crushed garlic with the onion.
Getting ready for Thanksgiving? See all our Holiday Prep tips for entertaining.
Earlier today, we visited Mollie Katzen at home. For more easy dinner suggestions, see Kitchen Visit: Eating from Mollie Katzen’s Winter Garden in Berkeley.
Finally, get more ideas on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for brussels sprouts with our Brussels Sprouts: A Field Guide.
Interested in other edible plants for your garden? Get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various edible plants (including flowers, herbs and vegetables) with our Edible Plants: A Field Guide.
FAQs
Each plant yields between 60 and 100 sprouts. The leaves are also edible with a kale-like flavor, and can be harvested after maturation.
Why are restaurant brussel sprouts better than homemade? ›
The combination of techniques, searing then roasting, is what gives restaurant Brussel Sprouts the upper hand on the until-now pathetic homemade variety. Eureka! Avoid using a glass baking dish with very high sides, as this will trap moisture inside the pan, causing the sprouts to steam rather than roast.
Why brussels sprouts taste better than they did when you were a kid? ›
Research Fellow Lauren Chappell said, "Sulfur is responsible for the bitter sprout taste. As we age, we lose tastebuds, which can make them more palatable—potentially why adults who hated sprouts as children now embrace them in seasonal dishes.
How do you cook brussel sprouts without smelling the house? ›
"So the real secret to cooking these is to cook them less than five minutes." You can further reduce any unpleasant Thanksgiving Day odors, Corriher says, by precooking your sprouts a day ahead. Boil them for just under five minutes, she says, and then rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking.
How many pounds of brussels sprouts do I need for eight people? ›
Plan on about 1/2 pound (8 ounces) of raw brussels sprouts per person. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (sprouts will roast nicely anywhere in the 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit range).
Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking? ›
The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.
When not to use brussel sprouts? ›
If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).
What is the secret to growing Brussels sprouts? ›
Brussels sprouts are cool season vegetables that prefer a sunny location and fertile, well-drained soil. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the area before planting. Plant seeds ¼-½ inch deep.
What month do you plant Brussels sprouts? ›
If you do choose to grow from seed, direct-sow into the garden in mid to late summer for a fall harvest. Plant seedlings in the garden 6-10 weeks before the first expected frost. In zones 9-10, sow seeds or plant transplants October through December.
What is the best fertilizer for brussel sprouts? ›
Aim for a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, but try not to go overboard. Too much nitrogen will result in a lot of leafy growth and not enough sprouts developing along the stem. A 10-20-10 or 13-13-13 will work. For organic options with lower NPK, go for a 5-5-5 or a 5-7-5 and apply about every two weeks.
While broccoli may have a higher count of calories, fat, and carbs, it is richer in calcium, iron, and pantothenic acid (a B vitamin that does wonders for healthy hair), and has a bit more potassium. Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, are lower in sodium.
What gives brussel sprouts a better taste? ›
In the late 1990s scientists identified specific chemicals, called glucosinolates, that made Brussels sprouts taste bitter. Plant breeders started growing old seeds, previously discarded for producing paltry harvests, to identify tastier versions with lower levels of these compounds.
Why do my Brussels sprouts taste weird? ›
If brussels sprouts taste bitter to you, you may have a gene that senses bitter compounds in brassicas. It is similar to the gene that makes cilantro taste like soap to the people who have it, and like a yummy herb to people who don't.
What are the disadvantages of Brussels sprout? ›
Although a healthy vegetable, consuming too many Brussels sprouts can be unsuitable for people on anticoagulants since it contains vitamin K, which results in blood clotting. Another issue with consuming Brussels sprouts excessively is that it can lead to gas and bloating.
Why are Brussels sprouts not bitter anymore? ›
Over the last twenty years, farmers have mellowed the "unpleasant" flavor of brussels sprouts by breeding a vegetable that contains fewer bitter compounds or glucosinolates. So, brussels sprouts just taste better than they used to when we were kids. The rub is that glucosinolates help protect sprouts against pests.
What is the bitter chemical in brussel sprouts? ›
The bitter taste of Brussels sprouts comes from compounds called glucosinolates and their degradation products, he explains. These bitter tasting compounds are an important part of the plant's defence mechanism against leaf-eating enemies, such as insects, nematodes, slugs, and herbivores, like pigeons and deer.
How do you make sure there are no bugs in brussel sprouts? ›
Planting aromatic herbs or flowers can deter pests, while certain plants attract beneficial insects that prey on pests. Marigolds and basil are not just pretty faces; they're the bouncers at the club, keeping the riff-raff away from your Brussels sprouts.
What happens if you don't wash brussel sprouts? ›
It's important to wash Brussels sprouts before you eat them to get rid of dirt, bugs, pesticide residue, and bacteria. Luckily, it's easy to wash these delicious vegetables.
Why do you soak Brussels sprouts in salt water? ›
For best results, soak your Brussels sprouts in salt water. Not only does salt act to tenderize the dense sprouts, but it will also help to season them all the way through. It won't take a lot -- just add 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 quart of water and toss in trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts.
Should you parboil brussels sprouts before roasting? ›
Unlike other vegetables, Brussels sprouts can be parboiled (even a day ahead) to reduce the roasting time without hurting their texture. That means the sprouts can be popped in the oven while the meat is resting before carving. Of course, if the main course is grilled or pan-cooked, the oven will be free for roasting.
Adding even just one or two servings of Brussels sprouts to your diet a few times a week can help you meet your vitamin C needs. Brussels sprouts are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that's important for immune health, iron absorption, collagen production, and the growth and repair of tissues.
Do you need to wash brussels sprouts before cooking? ›
Rinse under cold running water to remove any dust or dirt. Use a small knife to remove the sprout tip, and then remove any leaves that have bad spots. Raw: Slice thinly and toss with other shredded vegetables like cabbage, carrots, or beets.
Are brussel sprouts better steamed or boiled? ›
Steaming Brussels sprouts preserves more of the nutrients and antioxidants than any other cooking method. And they turn out tasting like crisp-tender, sweet little nuggets. Plus they're just about the quickest veggie side dish you can cook.
How do you cook brussel sprouts so they don't cause gas? ›
How to Cook Brussels Sprouts to Reduce Gas
- Boil Them First. If you're eager to make Brussels sprouts work for your gut, Brown recommends giving boiling a try. ...
- Pair Them With Fresh Mint. ...
- Chop or Shred Them Into Smaller Pieces. ...
- Eat Brussels Sprouts Cooked Instead of Raw. ...
- Try Fermented Brussels Sprouts.
Why Are My Brussel Sprouts Not Crispy? Spread them out into a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid overcrowding. If they're too close together, they'll steam instead of roast which stops the crisping process.
