Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Onions

Maybe it's because I came late to brussels sprouts, but I can't get enough of them. Maybe I am making up for lost time.

For those of you who don't understand where I am coming from, I'm sure that there is a way to cook brussels sprouts so that they don't taste good. Probably it was the way your parents prepared them for you when you were little. Maybe you hated them. I say, fair enough. Those brussels sprouts very well could have been nasty. I'm not going to tell you they weren't.

But I am going to tell you that, cooked properly, brussels sprouts are simply phenomenal. I like roasted brussels sprouts so much that I even like them cold, as left overs from the night before. Now, that is not necessarily the ideal way to enjoy these nutritious veggies, but I'm just saying that are THAT good.
(On a side note, why are brussels sprouts so unfairly maligned in popular culture?)

Normally, I follow Amber's recipe: a simple toss-with-olive-oil-and-roast preparation. I love it. The roasting imparts a mellow, nutty flavor and caramelizes the edges into a perfect crunchy sweetness. I don't know why I wanted to try another recipe for brussels sprouts last night, since I am so satisfied with the first, but I decided to get crazy. Maybe it was the pecans. Or the onions.

I do know that I couldn't get rid of the roasting, so I adapted this recipe from Saveur (the best food magazine in existence--and also wonderful to follow on facebook, by the way) to accommodate the roasting process.  This recipe is slightly different than the plain roasting method, but I don't want to say it is better. The pecans and onions compliment the brussels sprouts nicely and make this a particularly great dish for cold fall and winter nights. It kind of gussies them up a little. I'm going to add this into my regular brussels sprouts rotation, because I do love a little variety in my life. Even if it's just in my brussels sprouts.

Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Onions

~Print Recipe~

• 1/4 cup of toasted pecans
• 1 pound of brussels sprouts
• Olive oil (just enough to coat the Brussels sprouts...but the more the tastier)
• Salt and pepper to taste

  

  As you can see, we added a bit more onion...

• 1 tablespoon butter (or olive oil)
• 1/2 of a medium white onion
• 1 or 2 cloves of garlic

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Chop and toast the pecans on a baking sheet in a single layer for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are fragrant and browned.
2. Meanwhile, chop brussels sprouts in half. In a large bowl, toss brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until they are as browned as you like. (I like mine on the crispier side.)
3. While the brussels sprouts are almost done roasting, heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Chop your onion. Add butter or olive oil to the skillet and let it melt. Add onion and stir to coat. Mince the garlic and add it to the pan. Sautée until the onions are golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in roasted brussels sprouts and cook for a couple minutes more. Stir in pecans and adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 2-4

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

According to Mollie Katzen, these are the brussel sprouts that will convert any non-lovers of brussel sprouts. I put it to the test, and promptly converted Mary Ann, although her disclaimer was she would only eat them if they were prepared like so. My next test case will be the hardest - Andy Zoo. Not only is this recipe incredibly easy, but super delicious as well!

What's in it

Brussel Sprouts, cut in half (as many as you like)

Olive Oil

Salt

How it's made

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil and treat with the olive oil so there is a thin coating all over the foil. Place all the brussel sprouts cut side down on the tray, and smear them around so they get coated with oil on the bottom.

Once oven is preheated, bake for ten minutes, then shuffle the sprouts around again to get them coated with more oil. Bake five minutes more or until done to your liking. They will continue to cook a bit once you take them out, since they will be so hot. When removed from oven, sprinkle with ground sea salt if you like. Prepare to love them, then eat them!