Brussels sprouts are one traditional, festive vegetable that tend to be neglected at other times of the year. This is quite unfair really, as sprouts have a unique flavour and are a perfect match for many meat dishes, or add a nutty taste to vegetarian meals or rice bowls. Let the foodpanda magazine team be your guide to some of the most creative Brussels sprouts recipes around, and celebrate this seasonal vegetable in style this winter!
About the humble Brussels sprout
The Brussels sprout is part of the cabbage family of vegetable, and grown for its edible buds, which look like miniature cabbages. The reason for its name is shrouded in mystery. However, we can confirm that sprouts have always been a popular veg in Brussels, Belgium and this is where they were first grown commercially around the year 1200 AD. The most common way of cooking sprouts is to boil or roast, and it’s quite typical to cut a cross at the stem prior to cooking in order to ensure each sprout is fully cooked.
- Some of the common toppings added to Brussels sprouts include vinegar, chestnuts, cheese, and brown sugar.
- You can also pickle sprouts and eat them at any time of year!
Creative Brussels sprouts dishes for 2019
Just some of the ways you can spice up any meal with creative Brussels sprouts recipes include combining with bacon and chestnuts with your festive Christmas meal, making a tasty and vegetarian sprouts side dish by combining pan fried sprouts with pomegranate seeds and pistachios or even braising them with chestnuts and apples. You can also try adding sprouts to salads to give flavour and taste and this works really well in combination with citrus fruits.
Vegetarians and vegans are sure to appreciate the health giving benefits of sprouts. These humble vegetables are rich in vitamins K and C, with one serving providing more than your daily required levels. Sprouts also provide you with a number of B vitamins and are really high in fibre. Why not try adding a handful of sprouts to smoothies, to ensure you benefit from all their nutritional value?
Why Brussels sprouts are the cause of jokes
Just like baked beans, it has to be said that Brussels sprouts are the subject of lots of jokes, particularly around the festive season. This is down to their reputation for causing flatulence! You can avoid this problem if your sprouts are perfectly cooked, though, as those unfortunate side effects tend to result from overcooked sprouts.
Find great Brussels sprouts dishes at some of Singapore’s top veggie restaurants, including Genesis, Komyuniti, and Herbivore. Discover more great food trends and recipe ideas in the foodpanda magazine as we’re always bang on when it comes to finding the foods you enjoy and the best meal ideas for friends and family.
