How do you make your Brussels at Xmas?

[JacknDiane]

I always thought Brussels sprouts were smelly, over boiled yucky things I avoided. But at an early Xmas dinner I went to, the Brussels were a revelation. They were cut in half, slightly charred and just tasted lovely. And they weren't dry at all.

I would love to make these for our Xmas day lunch, but I dont know how.

What the best way to do Brussels?

Cut in half, roasted with a drizzle of pomegranate molasses, then sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and optionally nuts. Elite!

Steamed
don’t need anything ruining ma sprouts!

Roasted in the oven? So not boiled at all?

Wasn’t Christmas, but oh lord, I had crispy miso Brussel sprouts in Canada in July, and I’ve not stopped thinking about them since.
if anyone has a recipe I would be eternally, eternally grateful

Get out of the freezer, pop in boiling water for 25-30 minutes. Bob's your uncle.

Shredded then fried with pancetta and garlic.

Exactly. Why make them taste like something else? They're gorgeous as they are!

Never buy frozen sprouts. Ever.

Garlic, and pork/bacon flavoured sprouts?! WTF?!😂

.

I usually par boil just for a minute or 2 so they are still al dente then quickly fry off with bacon/pancetta and chestnuts in lots of butter as that’s how my parents prefer it! They were wary the first time after a lifetime of eating them boiled but now look forward to it! Personally I hate them cooked in anyway but love them raw! I’m very much a raw veg eater though and prefer most veg raw!

Shredded and cooked with butter in a wok with bacon lardons, genuinely delicious!

Cut in half, make a slit in the stalk end, and steam them until al dente. That's it.

Chop the tips off, cut crosses in them and boil until you can get a fork in.

I love sprouts anyway, but for ease, At Christmas I roast them in the oven along with my carrots and some honey.

it was a good housekeeping recipe. I leave out the chorizo/lardons.

Directions

• Step 1Preheat oven to 190°C (170°C fan) mark 5. In a large baking tray, toss the carrots, oil, honey, chilli flakes and some seasoning. Roast for 15min.
• Step 2Add the sprouts and roast for 20min. Carefully remove the tray from the oven and stir through the chorizo. Roast for 10min more.
• Step 3Check seasoning and empty into a warm dish. Serve.

Simply steamed. Sprouts are my favourite- I don’t want them tasting of anything else!

Bacon and sprouts is a beautiful combination 🧑‍🍳

Prep the usual way by cutting a cross in the stem, put in a roasting tin, slosh with oil plus salt/pepper and a bit of chilli flakes, then roast in a hot oven until done through and slightly charred (might need to stir them around a couple of times en route).

Can also use bacon lardons, and/or caraway seeds for a central European vibe, same cooking method.

Absolute game-changer.

Boil sprouts for a few minutes ( al dente ) drain, then run under a cold tap to cool down rapidly ( do this on Christmas Eve ) drain again

On Christmas Day
In a very hot pan
Fry some pancetta , add sprouts , add butter and flaked almonds and a ton of freshly ground black pepper

You know there is no need to put a cross in the stem?

Roasted. Or if you’ve got the time and concentration, sautéed. I would burn them-but I know there people who are better at this stuff than me.

I can see there are a few of us who like the taste of sprouts. My method is cut in half, par boiled, tossed in olive oil and roasted in the oven. No need for additional seasoning, but a little salt and pepper.

I leave them in the shop. I find that to be the best plan. 🤣

😱
There is no way to cook a Brussels sprout without putting a cross in the stem!

Yes, straight in the oven. They're nice roasted on their own of course, but I love them with something contrasting to cut through the earthiness, so pomegranate works well, but a bit of balsamic in the oven dish also works wonders.

Agree with PPs about shredding and frying with bacon being nice too, but it's more effort!

Peeled, crossed and microwaved in a microwave steamer (time dependent on quantity) toss in butter