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Christmas

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Best way to cook sprouts?

28 replies

Pigleychez · 06/12/2015 08:35

This is the first year we have hosted xmas. DH hates brussels and doesnt want to have any xmas day but our guests will expect them so trying to find a way of cooking them to make them more bearable!

Any suggestions? I vaguely remember reading somewhere about cooking them in Honey and caramalising them. But I may have just dreamt that!!

OP posts:
ClashCityRocker · 06/12/2015 08:37

You mean you haven't started boiling them yet?!

ClashCityRocker · 06/12/2015 08:38

I like to slice them then fry them in butter with bacon and chestnuts.

TheDowagerCuntess · 06/12/2015 08:39

Nigella's sprout recipe is lovely.

dementedma · 06/12/2015 08:42

Shred them on Christmas eve and keep in cold water overnight.On Christmas day, just drain them well and chuck in a wok or large pan with butter, lardons( if you like), and add mustard, cream and honey. Delicious and only takes a couple of minutes.

PeaceOfWildThings · 06/12/2015 08:43

I called them the spawn of the devil until I discovered that they are really good for the brain.

I put little crosses in the cut end and boil them (about 10 minutes, give or take, depending on how cold it is).

ToBeAChadsman · 06/12/2015 08:43

Halve or quarter them and roast with pancetta.

madmother1 · 06/12/2015 08:44

Steam them for 15 mins. I love sprouts

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 06/12/2015 08:46

I like them very lightly steamed, I think it's a nice contrast to all the rich food on the plate.

They're also good roasted with shallots - that's a River Cottage recipe if you want to look it up.

Or stir fry with chestnuts and bacon.

GoneAndDone · 06/12/2015 08:46

Steam, don't boil! Steaming preserves the excellent nutrients in them too. Also good roasted in the oven with some oil and seasalt.

peggyundercrackers · 06/12/2015 08:53

Everyone here loves the, fried or boiled

bookbook · 06/12/2015 08:57

we are sprout lovers, (grow them on our allotment) Try to choose them all the same size, they do vary. I dont bother with the cross on the bottom. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil, then throw in. Simmer for 5-8 minutes depending on size

SummerNights1986 · 06/12/2015 13:23

We have garlic sprouts with bacon.

Just par boil them for a couple of minutes (maybe 4...can't remember exactly) then fry them lightly with garlic puree and herbs, and add chopped bacon.

Literally the best thing I've ever tasted and go amazingly well with gravy (despite the fact that they're garlic, which I thought was odd at first).

Icklepickle101 · 06/12/2015 14:53

We do ours Jamie style.

Sliced very very thinly, cooked with bacon lardons. YUM

SauvignonBlanche · 06/12/2015 14:58

They're only horrible if they're overlooked. DH thought he didn't like them until he had one that was properly cooked.

Don't boil them, just steam them, I think I do mine for under 10 minutes though I've usually drunk a lot of sherry by then. The main thing is to keep,checking to see how they taste, they should still have some 'bite'.

PurpleDaisies · 06/12/2015 14:59

We stir fry them with bacon and either pine nuts or chestnuts.

SymphonyofShadows · 06/12/2015 16:04

Get M&S to do them for you, and serve other veg as no one will eat them anyway Grin

thegiddylimit · 06/12/2015 16:07

Quartered, fried with bacon, pine nuts and garlic. Finish with lid on frying pan over low temperature so they steam in their own juices a bit. Yum. Really good with pasta like this as well. As is cabbage.

Rinceoir · 06/12/2015 16:08

I usually do them with bacon (chopped up after it's been taken off the turkey, yum) and some cream. Last year I did a Brussels sprout gratin which went down very well. Yesterday I made is a Brussels sprout and curly kale salad (I love sprouts all year round!).

Meow75 · 06/12/2015 16:09

What Clash City Rocker said. Best sprouts ever!!!

Fluffy24 · 06/12/2015 16:13

4 mins microwave, with tablespoon water and covered with cling.

I used to detest then but have recently started to appreciate the delight of a sprout!

KateBeckett · 06/12/2015 16:37

Roast them! Delish Xmas Grin

Goldenhandshake · 08/12/2015 11:03

par boiled, then roasted with butter and pancetta

ouryve · 08/12/2015 11:09

I like them just boiled briefly (5-6 minutes max) in minimal (already boiling) salty water. I cut them in half if they're massive, so they don't end up hard in the middle and mushy on the outside.

Branleuse · 08/12/2015 11:12

theyre amazing with balsamic vinegar and butter.

macnab · 08/12/2015 11:49

If you like your veg with a bit of bite then don't cross the bottom of them - if you like mushy veg then do! Remove outer leaves and steam them.

And presumably you're doing a selection of veg so your DH won't have to eat them, you can even place them at the opposite end of the table to him so he'll barely see them - that's what I have to do with my DH!!