fbpx

Braised Brussels Sprouts and Second Chances

Braised Brussels Sprouts, Quirky Cooking

by Fouad Kassab

I can’t remember where I was the first time I tried Brussels sprouts, but I do remember the bitter flavour made even worse by the over-boiled texture. I was in my early twenties, and having grown up in Lebanon, Brussels sprouts were new to me. It certainly was not a culinary revelation. For many years, I avoided the vegetable, deterred by its sulphurous smell and the soggy memory of our first encounter.

But this is why forgiveness and second chances are so important.

Brussel sprouts, Quirky cooking

In 2014, my sous-chef at Chic Pea, Jarryd, invented a dish of Brussels sprouts with a falafel crumb. The sprouts were fried in coconut oil, covered with tahini sauce, and a crumb of falafel-spiced chickpeas. Crispy caramel, crunch and spice. I fell in love with Brussels sprouts that day, and I lamented the years I spent holding resentment in my heart for this beautiful vegetable.

After putting the dish on the menu, I noticed that my diners were afflicted with the same aversion I recognised in my old self. Hundreds and thousands of Australians scarred by early childhood memories of the boiled sprout. To convince them to give it a try, I would offer the dish for free if they didn’t like it. I never had to give out a single freebie! The humble Brussels was elevated to an iconic status, and the dish became one of our signatures.

Today’s recipe is yet a different approach to dealing with Brussels sprouts. The Mediterranean has an old heritage of slow-braising vegetables, garlic and onions in olive oil, until the olive oil replaces the water content, resulting in a buttery, caramelised braise that is incredibly delicious. You can use this method with all leafy green vegetables such as spinach or silverbeet; or even with cabbage, kale and, of course, Brussels sprouts. Though not traditional, I like adding some fennel seeds in the mix. It amplifies the sweetness of the garlic and onions and marries well with the Brussels which take on a burnt caramel flavour. Jo has added some tips for her favourite way of cooking this dish, including bacon and leek in the recipe.

You can slice the brussels sprouts by hand, or chop in a Thermomix or food processor, and cook either in a frying pan or in the Thermomix depending on what you prefer. The end result will be softer and less caramelised with the Thermomix method, and hand cut slices fried in a pan do look prettier, but when you’re in a hurry it’s nice to have a quick option! Both taste delicious.

This dish is best eaten warm or at room temperature, so avoid replacing olive oil with coconut oil or other oils that are solid at room temperature. We’ve garnished ours with roasted hazelnuts which add a good crunch. This is by no means mandatory, but it does make for a lovely finishing touch!

Braised Brussels Sprouts, chopped and cooked by the Thermomix method (left); and finely sliced by hand (right) then cooked in a frying pan (below)

 

 

Brussel Sprouts, Quirky Cooking

Variation from Jo:

We love this dish with the addition of a handful or two of finely sliced bacon, and the white part of a leek. My youngest also doesn’t like fennel seeds, so we leave those out, and we garnish with roasted hazelnuts. I also prefer to slice the brussels sprouts and leek by hand into paper thin slices – you get maximum caramelising that way. We’ve been known to cook up a big batch of this dish on the stovetop and eat only that for a meal (with some kraut on the side) – the whole family love it! Note: You can find Organic Garlic and Fine Sea Salt for this recipe in my online store!

Braised Brussels Sprouts
Write a review
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 medium brown onion
  2. 6 cloves garlic, peeled
  3. 500g Brussels sprouts, stems cut off and halved
  4. 2 tsp loosely packed sea salt flakes
  5. 1 Tbsp fennel seeds (opt)
  6. 125g olive oil
TM Method
  1. Peel and halve brown onion, removing stems. Place in TM bowl along with garlic cloves. Chop 2 sec/speed 5.
  2. Place Brussels sprouts into TM bowl and roughly chop 10 sec/speed 4, using spatula to help along. Scrape down sides with spatula. (Texture will be uneven, that’s ok, it will still cook through.)
  3. Add salt, fennel seeds and olive oil. Cook on Varoma/20 minutes/speed 1. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Conventional Method
  1. Finely dice brown onion and garlic. Cut Brussels sprouts in half, vertically, and finely shave.
  2. Place all ingredients in a large saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Ensure heat is not too high.
  3. When the Brussels sprouts start caramelising, cook for a further 3 minutes and take off the heat. Serve warm or at room temperature
Quirky Cooking https://quirkycooking.com.au/

11 thoughts on “Braised Brussels Sprouts and Second Chances

  1. Sophie says:

    Yum this looks delicious! Given that I’ve just missed the brussel sprout season, I might try this with cabbage… any chance of getting the brussel sprouts with tahini and falafel spices recipe too??

  2. Brooke says:

    This is delicious!! I often make red wine braised beef cheeks in my slow cooker & serve them with this on the side ????????????????

  3. Kaz says:

    Fouad your introduction to this recipe is like a love letter to Brussel Sprouts. You write beautifully. xx

  4. Esther says:

    Have made this few times now, with some variations.
    Who would have thought I now love Brussels Sprouts!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *