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Roasted Brussels sprouts & a Giveaway!

December 6th, 2009 | Comments | Posted in Christy, Giveaways, Motivation, Recipes, Side Dish | by christy

When was the last time you had Brussels sprouts? Have you ever had them, or is the ‘Brussels sprouts are GROSS’ stigma keeping you from trying them? I’ll be the first to admit when I was a kid, Brussels sprouts were the last thing I wanted to try. My mom went so far as to make a cake once as bribery. If I would try the sprouts, I could have some cake. I was about 7 and I did try them, but I know I didn’t truly appreciate or even like them.

Not long after I started dating my husband, he asked me to make Brussels sprouts for him for dinner. WHA? Yeah, he eats greens and loves cabbage too, and those are loves I haven’t adopted. So back to the sprouts. I had never cooked them, and the only way they’d ever been served to me was steamed and then lathered in butter, so I pulled out my trust steamer and made some one night. I even ate a couple. Okay, I ate one. The flavor was a little strong, but not as bad as I’d remembered. Since then, Brussels sprouts have made many appearances on our dinner table. These days I just steam them whole and sprinkle a little salt and pepper over them before serving. My kids balk a little, but they eat them, too.

Facts about Brussels sprouts:

Selection tips: Look for small, firm sprouts with compact, bright-green heads―the smaller the head, the sweeter the taste. Avoid soft, wilted, puffy, or dull-colored heads, as well as those with loose or yellowish leaves. Try to choose sprouts of similar size so they’ll cook evenly.

Storage tips: After removing any loose leaves, seal unwashed Brussels sprouts in an airtight plastic bag and place them in the refrigerator. You’ll want to use them as quickly as possible, since their flavor will start to become unpleasantly strong after three or four days.

Peak growing season: Although readily available virtually year-round, the peak season for Brussels sprouts is from September to mid-February.

Health benefits: Like other cruciferous vegetables, Brussels sprouts are full of phytonutrients (natural plant compounds), which may help protect against cancer. They’re also a good source of:

•Vitamins A and C, which help fight against such ailments as heart disease, cancer, and cataracts (one half cup of sprouts provides more than 80 % of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C)

•Potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and maybe even cholesterol

•Folate, which is necessary for normal tissue growth and may protect against cancer, heart disease, and birth defects

•Iron, necessary for maintaining red blood cell count

•Fiber, which aids in digestion and helps lower cholesterol

While perusing my new copy of Body + Soul magazine last night, I came across an exciting recipe for Brussels sprouts and I can’t wait to try it! It sounded so good, I thought I’d share it with you, too!

Serves: 8
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

A cruciferous family member, Brussels sprouts have long been considered cancer fighting superstars thanks in part to the presence of compounds called indoles.

Gather:

  • 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
  • 2 red Bartlett pears, cored and cut into wedges
  • 6 shallots, quartered
  • 10 fresh thyme springs
  • 3 tablespoons olive
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. On two large rimmed baking sheets, toss Brussels sprouts, pears, shallots, thyme, and oil; season with salt and pepper.
  2. Roast until Brussels sprouts are tender and browned, 30-35 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. toss with lemon juice and serve warm.

Per serving: 124 calories; 1 g saturated fat; 4 g unsaturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 18 g carb; 27 mg sodium; 4 g protein; 5 g fiber. (vegetarian, vegan)

Giveaway:

No, don’t worry, we’re not giving away Brussels sprouts! We’re giving away a subscription to Whole Living Body + Soul magazine! Have you ever seen it? It’s just about the best magazine out there! I’ve had a subscription for years, and it’s the one magazine I religiously read every single month.

How to win!

  1. Leave a comment telling us your absolute least favorite vegetable and why!
  2. That’s it!
  3. Unless you want to tweet about it for an extra entry, and if you do, be sure to leave another comment letting us know you did.
  4. Contest ends Tuesday, December 8th at midnight Pacific time. Winner will be announced in Wednesday weigh-in post :)

Disclosure: This review and giveaway is sponsored by the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.

Sources: wholeliving Body + Soul magazine, November 2009 issue; cookinglight.com

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Further Inspiration!

 
  • tiffanyzook
    Peas, peas, peas.... I have hated them since I was little. I think it is both a taste and texture thing. I have gotten to the point now that I can tolerate them in things like soup or mixed vegetables, but I am confident that I will never be able to sit down to a bowl of peas like my husband can!
  • reneeakacutiebootycakes
    I love roasted brussel sprouts but I have never prepared them this way. I might try this recipe for Christmas. Yum.
  • I've only just discovered that I like Brussels Sprouts- this recipe sounds tasty! Cabbage is DEFINITELY my least favourite vegetable. I don't like it in cabbage rolls or coleslaw or anything. Yuck.

    Great giveaway! I don't believe I've ever heard of that magazine.
  • Erin P
    I HATE canned creamed corn, I just puked in my mouth a little even typing it.
  • mathmama
    tweeted @mathmama
  • mathmama
    My least favorite Veggie? Bell Peppers. Yeah, I know. I'm wierd.
  • dasschus
    My least favorite veggie is brussel sprouts because they smell like a giant fart. Sorry. :(
    But I sure would love to win the magazine. Sign me up for the giveaway please. :)
  • BrookeF
    green peppers are my favorite. you know any veggie that tastes good on pizza is a true friend.
  • Love that magazine! A subscription just started showing up a few months ago and I love it! So, not entering the giveaway.
    But I had to tell you I'm one of those freaks who LOVES brussels sprouts. So I can't wait to try this!
    I cannot think of a veggie I hate. For serious. But I do HATE overcooked veggies. That's just wrong and uncalled for.
  • tlb81003
    Beets are the nastiest nasty on the face of the earth. I know it is supposed to be the absolute best food item for you and every couple of years I try once more but just can't bring myself to eating them. Black!
  • I have a recipe for a beet and feta salad. I should post it. Though I can't say it will convert you, because my husband literally barfs when he eats beets!
  • Hmmmm... until I read your post I was ready to say Brussel Sprouts!, but now I feel like I should give them a second chance, so I guess I will say eggplant!
  • spiffytiffy3
  • allysonlyon
    Tweeted it :)
  • themelodramatic
    And I am a feed subscriber!
  • allysonlyon
    I don't like squash... just the name sounds disgusting.
  • WINNER!
  • themelodramatic
    Member of the hood!
  • spiffytiffy3
    I hate carrots. I know I'm weird, but they make me gag! Literally. They are fine IN anything, but by themselves (raw OR cooked) = yuck! But I think I like eggplant even less. It's like a mushy mushroom. Eeeew!
  • themelodramatic
    I hate broccoli. I used to love it, but ate it WAY WAY WAY too often. I got very tired of it. :p
  • kay6672
    Mmmm, that sound good! Our fave way to have Brussel sprouts is roasted with a little olive oil and S&P -- although here we just call them sprouts!

    My least favorite vegetable? Gotta be eggplant. I just don't get it. I like things like ratatouille, but I confess I think it would be even better if it DIDN'T have eggplant in it!
  • spiffytiffy3
    If I make anything (like ratatouille) that calls for eggplant, I just use zucchini instead - WAY better!
  • I was just looking at some fresh Brussel sprouts at Costco and wondering what I would do with them. This sounds delish!

    My least favorite......canned beets.
  • We actually planted brussels sprouts this year. Cool plant!

    I'm actually having trouble thinking of a veggie I hate. Hmm. Maybe cauliflower?
  • I don't like lima beans...they taste like dirt. I do love brussels sprouts though...delish!
  • spiffytiffy3
    I have the best recipe for lima beans. I'll have to share it sometime. Even my husband likes them.
  • Nancy
    Has to be turnips because they taste really weird and are just all around gross. Enough said!
  • *shudder* brussel sprouts. I just can't make myself eat 'em.
  • I am a magazine junkie (seriously. I live for magazines) and that is one I have never read.
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