Pan frying brussels sprouts, gives them a nice, stove top roasted, caramelized flavor. Boiling or steaming brussels sprouts may give them an unpleasant, bitter flavor. Stir frying brussels sprouts, with fresh vegetables and spices, gives them a pleasant, fresh taste.
Serve caramelized brussels sprouts along with steamed, brown rice and stir fried, marinated tofu for a complete vegetarian meal. This recipe for caramelized brussels sprouts makes 4 servings.
Ingredients for Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
- 1 pound brussels sprouts
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup bell pepper - chopped
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Directions for Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
- Wash the brussels sprouts, cut off the ends, and remove any discolored, outer leaves.
- Cut each brussels sprouts into quarters.
- Place the olive oil in a large frying pan, placed over medium heat.
- Add the prepared brussels sprouts and let cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until they begin to brown on the bottom.
- Stir in the bell pepper, garlic, black pepper, salt and red pepper flakes.
- Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the brussels sprouts are well browned on all sides.
- The brussels sprouts should be cooked through, but not mushy. Properly cooked brussels sprouts will be a bright green color, not a dull olive green. Properly prepared caramelized brussels sprouts will have a very slight crunch to them.
Recipe Tips and Suggestions
- Brussels sprouts look a bit like miniature cabbages. Purchase brussels sprouts that are as fresh as possible. Choose bright green brussels sprouts, with tightly packed leaves. If possible, purchase the desired quantity of individual brussels sprouts, instead of prepacked brussels sprouts.
- A less spicy version of caramelized brussels sprouts can be made by eliminating the red pepper flakes.
- Stir in a bit of chopped, fresh herbs once the brussels sprouts have finished cooking. Add 1-2 tablespoons of parsley, basil or cilantro if desired.
- Stir in a teaspoon or two of freshly squeezed lemon juice into the caramelized brussels sprouts if desired.
- Stir in 1/4 cup of toasted, slivered almonds right before serving, to add a pleasant, nutty crunch to the caramelized brussels sprouts.
Additional Vegetable Recipes Ideas
Honey glazed onion bake is a recipe for a side dish featuring cipollini onions, honey, butter, sage and vegetable broth. Green beans almandine features fresh green beans steamed with broth, garlic and shallots and garnished with slivered almonds. Add a variety of fresh herbs to sauteed cherry tomatoes to create a delightful summer vegetable side dish.
Lynn Smythe - ABOUT THE WRITER Born and raised in Rochester, New York, freelance writer Lynn Smythe obtained her bachelor's degree in Geology from ...
