What to do instead of sprouts

[ClaireDeLoon]

Have decided to be anti social this Christmas Day and have it just the two of us, but still having turkey and trimmings (I love cooking so not a problem). But DP doesn't like sprouts, not even done nice sauteed with chestnuts and butter.

What would be nice instead?

[DastardlyandSmugly]

My DH doesn't like sprouts either but I have found a recipe for a sprout tatin that I am hoping might change his view.

I usually do Delia's parmesan parsnips which are totally fab. Not sure what else this year but I've done variously mustard cabbage, creamed leeks, Vichy carrots, roasted cauli and broccoli.

[ClaireDeLoon]

Does your sprout recipe leave them looking recogniseable as sprouts?

[overmydeadbody]

Claire why not just do any other vegetable? There are literally hundreds of vegetables to choose from, it really really doesn't have to be sprouts.


I tihnk the best thing about christmas dinner with just a few people is you can make it into the perfect dinner for you, not the perfect dinner as depicted on tv by the media.

[overmydeadbody]

Carrots

beetroot (whole roasted with garlic are divine)

cabbage

swede

parsnips

broccoli

roasted whole onions

butternut squash

spinach

you could even do a salad

[DastardlyandSmugly]

I love sprouts which is why I try to be creative with them so we can still have them. You have to slice them and top the tart with them. They look very yummy actually.

Butternut squash would be nice though. Maybe with some chilli and coriander seed?

I've done roasted shallots before as well.

[ClaireDeLoon]

That's what I'm trying to do, just make it perfect just for us, no multiple people to please. But we often have roasts so I wanted some ideas for different things, that I wouldn't normally do but would still go. Already have decided will do sticky roast carrots and parsnips, roast pots, I just wanted another vegetable.

If you were doing cabbage instead how would you cook it to make it special? I am struggling for nice recipes and don't want to do red cabbage as we'll have that Boxing Day when we have people around.

[gillybean2]

If you're feeling anti social surely sprouts are exactly what you need!

I'd do them anyway because he doesn't have to eat them either. More for you!

[ClaireDeLoon]

yes but if I eat and them and he doesn't we'll have to spend the rest of the day in different rooms and that's not exactly what we thought of when we decided on a day just for us

[TeeBee]

Braised, spiced red cabbage? Baby leeks in a cheese sauce? Roasted fennel?

[girlywhirly]

What about stir fried savoy cabbage with pancetta?

You need to cut out the thick stalks, so peel off as many leaves as you need and cut the large central vein out of each, then cut shreds across each leaf.

Heat wok, fry chopped pancetta or smoked bacon until crispy, then add finely shredded cabbage approx 1cm wide shreds. It will cook in the fat from the pancetta, keep stirring until you see a bit of browning, then add a splash of hot water from the kettle. This will cause the cabbage to 'wilt' slightly in the steam. Once it is evaporated you can serve. You don't need to add any salt because of the pancetta/bacon. It looks amazing, a really bright green and yellow, slightly crunchy and nutritious as it hasn't been boiled to death! I like this with beef as well.

[ClaireDeLoon]

Sounds very nice, thanks for that!

[DastardlyandSmugly]

I do mustard cabbage.

Chop an onion and shred a savoy cabbage. Fry in some olive oil until onion is soft and cabbage had started to get brown tinges. Add a mixture of butter, wholegrain mustard, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest and a tbsp white wine vinegar to the cabbage and let it all mingle in together for about 5 mins or so. It's really yummy.