Sometimes he likes them baked/broiled in a bit of olive oil with some seasoning. Tonight he wants them al dente boiled.
OMGosh, what is he, the Jolly Green Giant??
Ma'am - that is 'One Tough Lug Nut' ya got there..
Does he ask for 'em with a side of Concrete Block?
I jest, I jest.. Ok <cracks knuckles> Ya Gotta try this:
- Start with "smallish" light-green ones - Under 1.5" in dia.. Not the 1.5"+ 'Darkside' ones - those will be Inherently tougher / more bitter.. (kinda like the 'Lamb / Mutton dynamic'
- Peel off 1-2 Outer leaves-layers, cut off the 'butts' (stems - though
Some ppl like em, we don't particularly) Wash,
Drain any excess Water, &
Quarter them; Put in glass or stainless bowl..
- Bathe in a generous amount of
Fresh Lemon juice (~1/2 a baseball-size Lemon) and ~2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar.. (the acid + vinegar sort of 'chemically blanch' the bitterness out -
Note that this is my "theory", not any "Official Brussel Sprouts University" lore, aight? But it Works..
- Meantime that the 'Quarters' are soaking (they don't need to be 'swimming' - just Throuroughly-wet with the LJ + BV..), prep your sauté pan:
- Generous amount of Olive Oil (I prefer EVOO) say ~1/8 cup, finely minced Garlic (1 clove), Coarse Ground Pepper (I like the 'multi-colored Peppercorn' grinders..) Grindered Sea Salt, and ~1x 4" sprig (or jar-equiv.) of dried Rosemary. Adding ~1 tsp of finely chopped Pine Nuts are a Wonderful option (but, acknowledged they are $$$, so are an
Option..
see note about Roasted Almond-slivers, later..)
- Brown the Garlic / Spices
(but Don't Burn..) over Med-High heat, and,
Carefully add the Sprout Quarters, slightly 'drained' (dump em into a small mesh colander to strain the LJ + BV into another bowl -
But Save that mixture - you'll add it in (and More) shortly.. This is just to avoid the '
Lots of liquid into Hot Oil' conundrum)
- With Flat-Wooden spatula, 'sear' the Sprouts in the Oil / Spices (the oil should be somewhat 'reduced' by now - you don't want these 'swimming' in oil) and - once the Heat is reduced a bit (by the Sprouts bringing it down) Sprinkle-in more Balsamic Vinegar,
generously. You can Also add more Lemon Juice at this point (but don't
Overdo it..)
- Sauté till the BV is 'reduced' into a bit of a 'caramelized state' (Covering the pan between stirring / turning over, etc helps quicken this along) and add Olive Oil (a 'Misto' is
Invaluable for this, btw..) and more BV, until a Nice, thick 'sauce' has been created. You
Can add a bit more LJ if it gets Too gooey / starts to stick, etc, but again, don't
Overdo the Lemon..) Toss in slivered Roasted Almonds at this point (again, as an Option) if Pine Nuts proved to Not be 'in the budget'..
- Kill the Heat, Cover, and let 'steam simmer' for a few minutes before serving. Certainly -
Taste - at this point, and feel free to add Salt / Pepper, and/or a bit more EVOO (if the 'sauce' got too-gooey / sticky, etc) Sprouts should be "tender" - but not reduced to 'mush', where they Completely 'come apart' / All leaves fall off, etc
- Best enjoyed with a Nice Roasted Lamb Shank (hey - ya've Already Got the EVOO / Salt/Pepper / Rosemary, right?
and a nice White Wine for the Win.
..and Lemme know how your 'Conversion' goes.
jd