"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands........" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

As I posted in my last post..........the Brussels Sprouts

in my garden are now ready for harvesting.
I have never tried raising these before, (because I actually never cared to eat Brussels Sprouts)
until I came upon a wonderful recipe. Now I love them!

I purchase a handful of small 3 inch high plants early this spring and set them out into my garden. I have watered and weeded them all summer, watching them grow large stalks and beautiful leaves..........

and forming small balls on the stalks. I read that when the balls get to about 1 to 2 inches, it is a good time to harvest. I also read that to remove the balls and more sprouts are supposed to grow again..........
do any of you know that this is so?

The first time I tried eating Brussels Sprouts...............I was not impressed. They were tasteless and bitter little cabbage like balls...................
however, a few months ago, a friend gave me a bag of golf ball sized ones, straight from the fields of California. I found a simple method of pan roasting them........................
and oh................I am hooked!

Simply wash the sprouts. Cut them in half. In a large heavy (I used and iron skillet)
skillet, melt about 3 to 4 tbs butter and heat it to slightly brown in color( clarified butter).
Place the sprouts into the hot skillet, sprinkle with minced onion, minced garlic, and salt, to taste.
Roast on medium heat for about  15 to 20 minutes, slightly stirring, until sprouts are toasty and tender.
So delicious!

They are great as a side to go with a hot bowl of soup on a cold and chilly day.
I just discovered a new soup that tastes almost like a BLT sandwich!
If you would like this soup recipe, just click onto the link of my cooking blog
How about you?
Have you at one time tried Brussels Sprouts or any other kind of vegetable and did not like it so well?
Did you find a better way to prepare it?
I would love to hear!


18 comments:

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

You have a green thumb, those look so yummy. I hope you will get a second harvest for all your hard work.

I just cut them in half, and place them cut side up on a roasting pan, sprinkle with olive oil, some dried herbs and bake in the oven on 375 till they turn brown on top. I like them a bit more toasted so I leave them in for a good char forms. I eat the whole pan. Picture is in my recipe folder on my blog.

YOU just made my mouth water for some so I see a trip to the farmers market is in order.

HOPE your day is blessed.

Country Gal said...

I am not a fan of Brussels sprouts but I must say the recipe looks and sounds good ! I love your Country Kitchen blog as well . I am in the process of putting together my own Country Kitchen Recipe book from my past when I was on the farm that my mum and I used to make and some from other family members and friends ! Thanks for sharing . Have a great day !

Sunny said...

Love brussel sprouts. I need to include these in my garden next year. We used to grow them years ago. Hve a blessed day, Kathleen!

Connie said...

I tried Brussels Sprouts a long time ago and didn't care for them at all. Maybe I should give them another try with your recipe.

magnoliasntea said...

I'm glad you had good success with your garden. I love Brussels sprouts, but the ones from the store have been horrid lately. We grew them for the first time last fall, and they didn't turn out very well. We may try again next year.

The soup looks and sounds wonderful. Thank you for the link.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

At one time I did not like Brussels Sprouts, but I love them now. They have a lot of wonderful vitamins. This recipe of pan roasting Brussels Sprouts sounds really good. I'll try this sometime. Have a great day.

Sherri Farley said...

We love brussels!! Fresh ones are so good.....

peggy said...

I love the Brussel sprouts but never had them roasted. I will try them and also the soup, I once had a delicious bowl of it in a restaurant but never had a recipe.

Paula said...

Ooooh~ your recipe sounds wonderful, Kathleen! I don't mind them the way my grandmother used to fix them... covered in Velveeta cheese. *haha*
I would love to try your recipe, but I would have to eat them by myself because my hubby wouldn't touch them! *Sigh*

A Colorful World said...

What a delight! Another blogger I know grew eggplant this year. I have to try them both. Your recipe sounds awesome. I'll share one with you that I have always liked: sauted brussel sprouts and baby carrots in butter in an iron skillet, and then brown sugar to caramelize. Yum!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

You are just so smart, Kathleen! That looks delicious. I'll have to try it. Thanks for sharing!

Bev C said...

Hello Kathleen,

I am glad you have found the recipe to making them taste lovely. I would prefer cabbage to Sprouts. We have tried growing them but without success the Cabbage White Butterfly loves laying their eggs on them.

Happy gardening.
Bev.xoxo

grammy said...

I have never even seen a Brussels sprout plant. Neat and sounds yummy!

Tammy said...

My parents used to make me sit at the table forever until I ate my brussels sprouts. Everything would be cleared away and cleaned up and there I would still be sitting, staring at the plate. I never ate them again until many years ago at Christmas dinners here that were put on by the British Ladies Society. The sprouts were broiled with chestnuts and bacon and were so yummy! Of course, I don't eat bacon anymore ... but I sure wouldn't mind trying them the way you've cooked them. I've never seen how they grow. Very interesting! Best wishes to you, Tammy

Pat / Silver Thimble Quilt Co. said...

I used to hate them as well. Then I discovered I loved them if I roasted them in the oven! I'm good to go now.
Yours look fantastic.

Nancy M. said...

I've never tried them, always thought they looked yucky, lol! I would probably try them if someone made them for me. I used to not really care for squash, but then grew some and now I love them!

Judi said...

I was checking your blog and found this note about brussel sprouts. I love them and even more when I found this out. Take and cut a little bit of the bottom or core of the sprout out and it takes a little of the bitterness away. Couldn't believe what a difference that makes.

Faith said...

I am a fan of the brussel sprout, we had them today with our Thanksgiving Dinner..a traditon which goes back to my mom. I grew them twice, the first time I actually got a few nice sized ones, and isn't neat how they grow,Inever knew. The second time the stalk got tall but no fruit. Recipe looks good...:)