Ok, the subject of today’s post is a tad controversial, but I’m stuck for ideas and it’s the LovinLife linky, so I’m just gonna put it out there. Brussel Sprouts. There. I said it.
When I was a kid I hated them – as does pretty well every other kid on the planet. They were smelly, strong, overcooked and mushy – with absolutely none of that fabulous vibrant green that attracts me to them in the supermarket these days. I used to eat them leaf by grey leaf – gagging all the while, as Mum said things like ‘no need for the dramatics, Joanne!’
These days I love them – well, depending on who’s cooking them, I suppose. I even order them willingly these days. Like these ones we had as a side dish at La Canteena in Maroochydore last Saturday.
Advertised as a BBQ Burnt Brussel, these were crispy pan fried, with fried jalapeños, bacon bits, spices and a spicy chipotle mayo – and were seriously more-ish…especially the burnt, crunchy, black bits…and especially when served with a beer. Even the kids are ordering them – the twenty something behind the bar said they’re one of the biggest sellers on the menu.
The thing is, you don’t have to eat bad brussels these days – no longer are they boiled within an inch of their lives and self destruct into a smelly pile at the merest touch of a fork. These days you can have them roasted with garlic and lemon, or maybe honey and balsamic. You can saute them with riesling, pancetta and shallots. You can make like Yotam Ottolenghi and do them with pomegranate and purple basil. Yotam even does a brussel risotto…although I’m not sure that I could go there.
Yes, the humble brussel is now more than a tad hipster – and it really is worth giving this poor misunderstood vegetable another chance. Go on…I dare you!
Are you a fan of the brussel – or have your tastebuds been forever damaged from childhood experiences?
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And Anyways... 
Like you I used to detest brussell sprouts when I was young. Hence I’ve never tried them since until recently I had them at a restaurant. From memory they were sauteed with bacon and garlic in butter and they were delicious. #TeamLovinLife
I think it’s time we rediscovered the humble sprout – as long as we don’t let them anywhere near a boiling saucepan!
True confessions: I’ve never had them and suspect I never will. Life’s too short to eat something so many people hate. Of course I also hate other stuff I’ve not tried like broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, other berries and eggplant but they also deserve my disdain! 🙂
Oh, you do make me laugh…I’m not a fan of eggplant (unless it’s in a smoky dip) but as for the rest…seriously?
You know what…I had never seen how Brussel Sprouts grew – so thanks for helping out this deprived city kid! haha In other shocking news … I actually like them! I ate some just yesterday. I roasted them – love ’em and as you say they can be cooking in a myriad of different ways to enhance their taste! #TeamLovinLife
Lol…My Mum used to grow them – & then murder them – so I’d seen them in their natural state…although we used to let the lambs & chooks out in the garden where they were growing in the hope that they wouldn’t get to this point.
I think it’s the boiled ones that put everyone off. Or tasteless supermarket ones. Or the combo of boiled, tasteless mush. I quite like them these days!
Another yes vote for the brussel!
Over the last couple of years I’ve grown to love Brussel Sprouts – I’m sure they’ve got nuttier and less bitter over the years – or as you say, this could just be a child to adult taste-bud morphing process! Took me a while though!
I think the biggest problem was the way they used to be cooked eeeeeeeuw
I love them with a bit of bacon!!!
SSG xxx
I have never liked them and still refuse to eat them! I’ve moved onto other things I didn’t like as a child like broccoli but can’t get into brussel sprouts!
Broccoli is a big step too… 🙂
You may eat all the Brussels sprouts. I eat them but I don’t choose to. So I will happily give them all to you. (Don’t say I never give you anything). #teamlovinlife
gee…thanks…I think!