Easy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak Brussels sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

first soak them 20 minutes in cold salted water. softens your sprouts. making them come out tender in the center. and crispy on the outside.

Roast the Brussels Sprouts at high heat

If you don't hear them crisping up in the oven, add a little more oil and roast them for a few more minutes until your desire crispiness is achieved!

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

Sauté: Wash sprouts under cold running water and remove any yellow spots and then cut them in half. Put 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet. Place the sprouts flat side down in the skillet. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook perfectly steamed Brussels sprouts in just 5 minutes. Simply steaming Brussels sprouts in the microwave or on the stovetop is really the BEST way to preserve their sweet, nutty flavor and crisp-tender texture. Toss them with a rich-tasting garlic parsley butter for the best quick vegetable side dish!

Steaming and boiling use moist heat, and moist heat can make Brussel Sprouts mushy and stinky—not a good combo. Give them the treatment they deserve by roasting them instead.

It's all in the seasoning

There's a reason why maple syrup has become such a popular ingredient in Brussels sprouts dishes. The sweetness works with the bitterness, and the sugar helps to caramelize the sprouts and bring out their own sweetness. A bit of brown sugar will also work. Acid can be useful as well.

The norm is 8-12 hours, but some soak for only 20 minutes, some occasionally soak in warm or hot water and for more or less time - Check the seed information pages for the seeds you are sprouting. Skim off any non-seeds that are floating on the water*.

Place them face down and resist the urge to move them around. A searing hot baking sheet with the brussels cut side down is the key to crispy brussel perfection.

What season is best for brussel sprouts? ›

Sprouts form at the base of each leaf stalk, up the stem. Early varieties can be harvested from autumn onwards, but the main cropping season is through winter, as the flavour of the sprouts is sweeter once they've been frosted.

Let me start by saying that many restaurants deep fry Brussels sprouts, and that's certainly a delicious (albeit sometimes greasy) option, but in my opinion, you can get equally tasty results from the oven. And it's a whole lot easier, too.

Eating a lot of Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous veggies may help protect against cancers of the stomach, lungs, kidney, breast, bladder, and prostate. Crunchy veggies like Brussels sprouts may also help you stave off other health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes.

Due to the high number of outbreaks, sprouts have been labeled as a “high risk” food. This means that people with compromised immune systems, such as children, elderly, pregnant women and those who are sick or taking medications that impair the immune system, should avoid eating sprouts.

Fungal and bacterial infections cause black spots on Brussels sprouts. Prevent with spacing, air circulation, and tool sterilization.

Transfer the sprouts into the bowl of water and baking soda, ensuring there's enough liquid to cover them completely. If there's not, add more water and baking soda until they're covered. Then, let them soak for up to 10 minutes. Use a vegetable brush to scrub each sprout.

However, the minimum time required for germination can vary depending on the growing conditions and the quality of the seed. Some sources suggest that as little as 2-3 hours of soaking may be sufficient for germination, while others recommend soaking for at least 12 hours.

Soaking too long can waterlog seeds and Soaking in hot water can "cook" them, so it is follows that if you can get all of your seeds soaked in 12 hours they are much better off. If you are in a pinch for time you can use 90-100° water to cut the soak time down.

Or if after trimming and removing a few leaves there are still some aphids and it seems a waste to cut away more sprout to remove them, use a soft-bristle brush under a little running water to clean remaining aphids out of the crevices.