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Friday 26 August 2011

orange butter brussels sprouts, sugared pecan crumble

Brussels sprouts. Some think they are the work of the devil. Others sing their praises to high heaven. Me? I don't mind them at all, and can, in fact, be quite fond of them when they are done right. I often cook my Brussels sprouts in a broth over medium-low heat until they're tender and infused with flavours - I find that this keeps them from turning bitter, and brings out their gentler side.

I made these orangey, buttery, nutty Brussels sprouts as a side for lunch recently, and while I don't regard it as my best work, the dish definitely passed the I-can-easily-eat-it-all test, so I am fairly content. Simon liked it even more - he ardently pronounced it delicious. Our enthusiasm for the same dish can often vary, and hey, I certainly do not complain when he's more keen on my dishes than I am - it can be a nice boost for the ego, and serves as a nice reminder that taste is a personal thing.

Without further ado, here's the recipe!

brussels sprouts dressed up with orange butter and sugared pecan crumble

orange butter brussels sprouts with sugared pecan crumble

200g Brussels sprouts
1 small orange
1/4 cup pecans
1/2 teaspoon raw sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup water or vegetable stock
salt and black pepper, to taste

Halve or quarter the Brussels sprouts lengthwise, depending on their size.
Zest and juice the orange.
In a pan, lightly toast the pecans until fragrant. Grind together with sugar and half of the orange zest with a mortar and pestle until it takes on a coarse sandy appearance. Set aside.
In a saucepan, gently fry Brussels sprouts in butter for 1 minute, turning and tossing them around. Add in orange juice (approximately 1/4 cup), the remaining orange zest, and water or vegetable stock. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes or until just tender.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with zesty sugared pecan crumble.

orange butter brussels sprouts with sugared pecan crumble

28 comments:

  1. I quite like a brussels sprout, but I am sceptical about the crumble with them! I prefer a more savoury treatment.

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  2. It is an unusual treatment Foodycat, and I'll admit quite an experiment, but when I ate it I found the contrast pleasant - not strange as might be expected. And Simon really liked it, more than I did. But I definitely see how this can be a controversial dish! :)

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  3. I cooked them yesterday night for the first time! With walnuts! I'd love to try your recipe indeed!

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  4. Thank you! And I'll try it with walnuts too one day! :D

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  5. I love brussel sprouts. must be because i love asparagus. :)

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  6. Words cannot express the depth of my love for brussels sprouts. I used to just eat them plain, microwaved - that's how much I loved 'em. This looks stellar!

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  7. Michelle - yes I like both!

    Thanks Hannah! And I have to say, your passion for Brussels sprouts is quite amazing. :p

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  8. ooh brussel sprouts... im a fan of them cause of the texture. really like biting into it but do find that it can be abit of bitter sometimes... then i just add more melted butter haha.. and sometimes im not sure if its cuz its too old or overcooked... but this sounds like a good way to mask the bitterness... your recipes are one of a kind, seriously! love reading them. thx for sharing! =D

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  9. Brussels sprout crunch and pecan crunch, I'm liking the texture profile there and orange to round of the taste.
    Looks like a side for a great roast, something I really miss right now.

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  10. Thanks Winston! Your lovely comments really brighten up my day. Yeah, I'm not really sure why sometimes they're bitter and other times less so, either. Must experiment!

    Thanks PFx! Indeed, I think this would go great with a pork roast. :D

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  11. Arrgghh.. poison ! Poison!! Hahahahah... I do recall you were going to post this recipe up and was trying to avoid visiting :P But look, I understand that there are some people who have odd tastes and like Brussels Sprouts, but I still like them (the people, not the sprouts)!

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  12. thats ok! ive bookmarked this recipe and a few others, including ur spinach chips recipe that i came across while browsing haha. they were pure genius! and fun to make/feed loved ones with. have a great weekend! =)

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  13. Haha msihua! Well, I'm glad you still like me after my Brussels sprouts post. ;)

    Thanks Winston, I hope you enjoy them! You have a great weekend too. :D

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  14. I heart brussels to death! well, not to death but I love them long time. Praise to any bloggers who write about the sprout!
    T x

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  15. Really interesting, Leaf! As always I admire your creativity. I'm also a brussels sprout lover... I fell in love with them in Amsterdam - they're really sweet and tender in Holland for some reason.

    Ultimately if Simon gave them a thumbs up I'd say you won this battle :)

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  16. Love them too, especially steamed and drizzled with a nice EVOO and some salt and black pepper :)

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  17. I am always happy to find a new way to enjoy Brussels sprouts, and this looks like a keeper!

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  18. Thanks Miss T! They do seem to be a misunderstood vegetable. :p

    Those sweet and tender Brussels sprouts from Holland sound beautiful, Yasmeen. Strangely, the nicest ones I had came from a frozen bag. Yes, always happy when Simon likes something I made. :D

    chopinandmysaucepan, I dig the sound of your method - nice and simple. :)

    Thanks Trix!

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  19. Oh yes, I enjoy brussel sprouts when done right. They can be pungently disgusting when over-cooked and that is devil-ish :O

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  20. I would love to try this dish, but my partner won't touch brussel sprouts with a 10-foot fork, lol. I'd love to try it with another vegetable though, maybe carrots?

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  21. Thanks for visiting my blog! This dish sounds delicious!

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  22. I've had some bitter sprouts, but I think I've managed to avoid the really, really horrible ones that you speak of, tigerfish, and I must say for that I'm grateful!

    Thanks Jasmyne, would your partner eat asparagus or broccoli? I think either of those could work here as a replacement for Brussels sprouts.

    Thanks Hovkonditorn! :)

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  23. I love brussels sprouts! I know most people don't but what's not to love about a chewy little cabbage?
    I've never fixed them in a sweet way like this before but It sounds liek a luscious combination!

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  24. I'm a huge fan of brussell sprouts - what a great and easy way to add some nutty sweetness to them!

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  25. I am ahuge fan of brussel sprouts!!

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  26. Rachel, I always see them as miniature cabbages too! :D

    Thanks Maia!

    Thanks for coming by Anh. :)

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  27. I simply adore brussels sprouts. The dressing sounds sweet and tasty - thanks!

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  28. I have bad memories of brussels sprouts... but your dish looks amazing! This is on my list of must makes!!

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