Brussels sprouts have a terrible reputation as many believe they are naturally smelly and bitter, but they can taste incredible if they are cooked properly. Most people only cook Brussels sprouts for Christmas when they are rushing about and tend to boil them to save time, but this is the worst way to prepare this controversial vegetable. Boiling spouts in water will break them down and release sulphur compounds, which not only makes them taste awful but causes them to become mushy and will stink out your kitchen.
I used to hate Brussels sprouts and always used to avoid them during the holidays, but I recently tried them in a restaurant and was amazed at how nutty and sweet they were. It turns out Brussels sprouts need to be roasted in the oven if you want them to be tasty, and seasoning them with a little salt is the key to getting rid of any bitterness.
Why do you need to salt Brussels sprouts?
Brussels sprouts already contain a lot of water, which is one of the reasons you should not boil them, and if you simply throw them in the oven, they tend to steam rather than roast.
Salt helps draw out the excess moisture from Brussels sprouts which helps them caramelise in the oven so you get a really crispy texture.
However, Brussels sprouts also contain glucosinolates and sinigrin, which are the sulphur compounds that can make them bitter when they are exposed to too much moisture.
Using salt helps brown the Brussels sprouts as they cook which will enhance their natural sweetness and simply makes them much tastier.
How to make really tasty Brussels sprouts this Christmas
You will need:
500g of Brussels sproutsThree tablespoons of avocado oilOne to two tablespoons of saltOptional: Parmesan cheese, chilli flakes, bacon. black pepper
I use avocado oil to cook Brussels sprout as it has a high smoke point, which means it can cook food at a much higher heat without burning. This means the Brussels sprouts will properly caramelise in the oven so you get that perfect crispy exterior. However, you can use butter or olive oil instead if you wish.
Method:
To begin preheat the oven to 220C. You need a really high heat to cook Brussels sprouts to help get rid of the water and help them roast in the oven.
Next, cut the sprouts in half lengthwise, remove any loose leaves and then place then cut-side down on a baking dry.
Season the sprouts with salt and drizzle a good amount of avocado oil all over them. Place in the oven and cook for roughly 20 minutes, and you will notice a lovely nutty smell as they cook.
Once the time is up, you will have crispy Brussels sprouts that are so satisfying to eat. I used to hate sprouts but after roasting them myself I really love them and they have become a staple winter side dish for me.
If you wish, you can also add any topping to the Brussels sprouts as they tend to pair well with salty and rich foods like bacon lardons or Parmesan cheese.
