There is a perfect side dish for your main dish, which is always available throughout the year, and it’s the Brussel sprouts. This edible vegetable resembles a cabbage though it’s much smaller in size. It has a nice flavor combined with the bittersweetness of cabbage which makes it special. The Brussel sprout tastes great when prepared, and its bitter taste is taken care of by cooking it in lots of water or using fat when cooking or before serving it.
The Brussel sprouts can be roasted, boiled, sautéed, or baked. All these depend on your choice, and all cooking methods bring out its special sweetness, which makes it delicious. Of the four, roasting and baking can be done using an oven. Both methods have their unique flavor imparting ways, as while baking gives it a sweeter taste, roasting brings out the rich blend of its bitter-sweet flavor with a hint of savor.
One of the exciting and amazing things about Brussel sprout is that they can be served at parties and picnics as snacks because of their small size. It can also be used as an appetizer or dessert at regular meal times alongside main dishes.
Nutritional benefits of Brussel Sprouts
The Brussel sprout is very rich in Vitamin C, minerals, fiber, protein, and antioxidants which are very important in the growth and repair of body tissues. Many have discovered its numerous health benefits and trust it to achieve a healthy, younger look. It’s also best to note that regular consumption of Brussel sprout helps to reduce the risk of cancer, control inflammation, and regulate blood sugar. Above all, it contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of Omega-3 fatty acid that helps produce hormones that help in blood clotting and relaxation of the arteries.
Great Tips on Cooking Brussel Sprouts
Buy Brussel sprouts that are firm with closed leaves; avoid ones that are discolored on the edges because that’s a sign of spoilage. For a fresher and long-lasting sprout, buy sprouts that are still on the stalk. Avoid buying in large quantities as when taken out from the ground, the sprout stalks start to deteriorate. Instead, buy according to what will be used immediately.
Smaller sprouts tend to be sweeter with great flavor. Sprouts are also known to have a nice flavor when picked after the first frost. When cooking sprouts, rinse under running water. Don’t dunk. And if the bitter taste bothers you, cooking Brussel sprouts in olive oil helps take it away.
Making Brussel Sprouts Crispy
Roasting is a perfect way of making Brussel sprouts crispy as it brings out the flavor in it and gives it a very delicious taste. You can’t resist taking a bite of a roasted Brussel sprout. The best way to do this is by drizzling a bit of olive oil on the sprouts. Some prefer melted butter, and others like to add some grated cheese to the mix as well.
If you’re interested in making Brussel sprouts using an oven, you can try out this interesting, quick roasting recipe.
PrintCrispy Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussel Sprouts, cleaned and trimmed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of good quality olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C. On a large baking sheet, drizzle Brussel sprouts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss until combined.
- Roast until the Brussel sprouts are crispy on the outside and tender inside, about 25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if desired, and serve immediately.
Serving Oven-Cooked Brussel Sprouts
Your delicious Brussel sprouts can be served with Pasta, Crockpot pork chops, Crockpot chicken and potatoes or lemon butter chicken, and Tomato pasta baked with chicken and sausages.
For more ideas, check out this video recipe.