Today we are going to discuss a much-maligned vegetable, the Brussels sprout. Poor Brussels has quite a bad rap, and is hated by millions the world over. See, Brussels suffers from a syndrome called “being over-cooked”, a terrible, terrible malady. It is a descendent of wild cabbage, and like most other cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, kale, etc.), overcooking breaks down a compound that then releases a sulphurous odor. And yes, by sulphurous, I do mean that it smells like someone has a bad case of intestinal upset. What’s a poor overcooked vegetable to do? I must have had someone in my childhood who knew how to cook Brussels sprouts because I’ve always liked them. I’ve had some not so good ones, but knew an overcooked version when I saw it. My husband, on the other hand, shudders at the very thought and has all but banned them from our kitchen.
But I was invited to join a virtual Holiday Brunch Potluck organized by Julie, of The Little Kitchen, the idea being that we all post a different dishes and link them in together, as if we were attending a real potluck. I signed on a bit late and was assigned to the side dishes. This blog is focused primarily on the sweets and treats, but I do make my share of delicious sides and I took this on as a great challenge. And to add to the challenge, I thought I might whip up a batch of Brussels sprouts and see if I could get my husband to change his mind. I was put in mind of a Brussels sprouts dish that my father’s wife had made on a family vacation, which included hazelnuts. My husband never got a chance to try them, as he was laid low with a nasty virus and spent the last day of our vacation in bed. But I remembered them as quite good, enough so that I had two helpings. And definitely a worthy and healthy side dish for Holiday Brunch Potluck.
I also happened to have recently picked up a bottle of roasted hazelnut oil and was casting around for ways to use it. Specialty oils like this are a relatively new love of mine and I’ve discovered a good, inexpensive source for them at TJ Maxx/Homegoods. I always keep a large bottle of walnut oil at the ready, and I’ve eyed the hazelnut oil a number of times. When I happened to see a bottle on clearance, I grabbed it. And it just seemed tailor-made for using with Brussels sprouts, the rich flavour of the oil adding a depth to the slight nuttiness of the vegetable. I found an excellent recipe for Brussels in Cook’s Illustrated, which uses a bit of water in a tightly covered pan to steam the sprouts a touch and make them more tender before going on to roast them. So I followed that method for the most part, adapting it to add the hazelnut oil, some garlic and some roasted hazelnuts.
The Results: If success here is to be measured by getting a self-declared Brussels hater to enjoy them, then I am ready to declare victory. Because my husband ate them and enjoyed them, and I am now officially granted permission to make Brussels sprouts whenever I so choose. That said, he didn’t go back for more than one helping. But I did. They were mine, all MINE and I happily ate them several days in a row. Interestingly, I almost liked them better on the second and third day when re-heated gently. I think the flavours had a chance to meld and develop a bit more. It’s such a simple side-dish, and certainly healthy and flavourful. If you have Brussels sprouts haters in your life that you want to win over to the dark side, I’d definitely give this recipe a second glance.
Make sure you check out all the other great participants in our Virtual Holiday Brunch Potluck below. From cocktails to dessert, this is a fantastic collection of holiday recipes that you won’t want to miss!
Hazelnut Roasted Brussels Sprouts
2 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
¼ cup roasted hazelnut oil
1 tablespoon hot water
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ cup toasted hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 500F.
In a large bowl, toss Brussels sprouts, oil, water, garlic, salt and pepper until sprouts are well coated. Transfer to a 9×13 inch glass or ceramic baking dish.
Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and roast for 10 minutes. Then remove foil and continue to roast until lightly browned and tender, about 12 more minutes.
Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with chopped toasted hazelnuts and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 8 to 10. For 8 servings, each serving has a total of 9.8 g of carbs 4.1 g of fiber. Total NET CARBS = 5.7 g.
The Drink
Godiva Mudslide Minitini – Kristen from Dine & Dish
Main Dishes
Gingerbread French Toast – Diane from Created by Diane
Asian Fusion Omelette/Frittata – Jeanette from Jeanette’s Healthy Living
Naomi from Bakers Royale
Side Dishes
Potato Casserole – Julie from The Little Kitchen
Hazelnut Roasted Brussel Sprouts – Carolyn from All Day I Dream About Food
Dessert
Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle with Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce – Sommer from A Spicy Perspective Gingerbread
Almond Brickle Coffee Cake – Kathy from Cooking On the Side
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Buttercream – Cheryl from TidyMom
Party Favor/Hostess Gift
Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots – Sylvie from Gourmande in the Kitchen
C Brannon says
Our favorite brussel sprout is saute with bacon and cranberries. Will be trying this way soon!
food_dreamer says
Wow, thanks for letting me know!
Carolyn
Blog: All Day I Dream About Food
URL: https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com
Nate@HouseOfAnnie says
Hi, did you know that an Android app called "Low Carb Recipes" by Gizmopress has stolen your recipe for its app:
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/h…
Nami says
My love for Brussel sprout is huge… I'm going to try this one as soon as I get a chance – prob after vacation though. Brussel sprouts are one of my favorite veggies and it's so nice to get new recipe! I have never tried one with hazelnuts. Can't wait!
Becky says
I just discovered roasted Brussels Sprouts at Thanksgiving. Yours look so good, and I have to get some hazelnuts. Thanks for for TJ Maxx HomeGoods tips.
Marly says
I love Brussels Sprouts! Looks like a great recipe!
happywhennothungry says
I love hazelnuts but have never had them with brussel sprouts before. Def will have to try this!
Karen says
I have to admit that I'm not a huge Brussels sprouts fan myself, but I think this preparation might just get me to change my mind! The hazelnut oil sounds like a perfect addition…I'm keeping my eye out for some of that.
Val says
This looks like the perfect side dish. The idea of pairing the brussels sprouts with hazelnuts is beautiful 🙂
Liz says
I'm so happy I'm not the only one blogging about Brussels sprouts in the midst of all the decadent goodies 🙂 YUM.
marla says
I love roasted brussels sprouts and the hazelnuts make them ever better!
Brian says
Loving this preparation of Brussels sprouts! Looks wonderful!
food_dreamer says
Will happily like your FB page…can you send me the direct link?
Carolyn
Blog: All Day I Dream About Food
URL: https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com
Purabi Naha says
What a yummy preparation! Loved this recipe and the way you write. I am fond of food and I think there is a lot to learn from you! Your photography is praiseworthy too. I am a fan of your facebook page. Please feel free to follow my FB page (Cosmopolitan Currymania) if you like! http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com
Sarah says
I used to work at a famous Melbourne restaurant clled Donovans, and they did a sweet and salty brussel sprouts dish with roasted chestnuts – it was amazing, and converted all previous brussel haters. Was only talking about it yesterday…. (and it's 10 years at least since I worked there!)
Nuts and funky veggies – can only be a good thing. Will have to give this a go!
KimBee_Cravings says
Okay I admit I am not a brussels fan but mixing them with hazelnuts might just have me changing my mind. This is truly inspired. Love, love, love it.
Barbara says
Love this dish; having a big love affair with the sprouts I used to despise. Roasting is the reason why!
Magic of Spice says
These are wonderful! I agree they have gotten a bad rap and tend to get over cooked, but these sound fantastic 🙂
And I love this virtual lunch…so fun 🙂