Create Your Own Vegan Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Every Brussels sprouts recipe features a delectable little vegetable that people either seem to love or hate; there's usually no in between. It took me years before I would try Brussels sprouts because I was the most picky eater EV-ER. I didn't like the smell of them, and they looked like little mini brains, which sort of scared me!

But one day, after a lot of coaxing, I finally gave them a try. The heavens seemed to open and a choir of angels started singing. Absolutely and totally delicious. I'd like to share with you some tips that will help you to cook up your Brussels sprouts so you, too, can enjoy these yummy little morsels.

By the way, remember to put an "S" on the end AND capitalize -- it's Brussels not Brussel, named after the city of Brussels in Belgium. Sorry to be SO persnickety! :)

How To Select Brussels Sprouts

When selecting this veggie for your Brussels sprouts recipe, organics are always preferred. But since Brussels sprouts are NOT one of the top 5 most pesticide-laden veggies that should be purchased organic it's okay to buy them in their non-organic form.

Beware that some harvests tend to be very "buggy" and the little critters really like to burrow inside. So it's important to choose Brussels sprouts that are firm and tight -- the more compact the better.

Choose small to medium-sized veggies as they tend to be more flavorful. Uniform size allows for uniform cooking. Look for a bright-green color and a heavier weight, comparatively. Avoid heads that are soft, yellowed, have dark spots or a dark-colored end, or whose leaves are opening up.

How To Clean and Prep Brussels Sprouts

Fill a bowl with clean, filtered water. Add 2-3 Tablespoons of lemon juice (or any other edible acid such as vinegar) which will help to clean your veggie more thoroughly. By the way, don't skip this step -- it's very important, especially with Brussels sprouts which could be harboring potential insects.

Cut the tail of each head right up to the base of the veggie, then cut in half which will allow the outer leaves to fall off exposing any teensy hiding critters. (Smaller heads do not have to be cut in half.) Remove any remaining dirty outer leaves and discard. Soak in the prepared water for 10 minutes or so. (The edible acid will kill any bugs.) Rinse.

Your veggie is now ready to be used in any Brussels sprouts recipe.

At this point you can use your veggie in any way you'd like as you prepare to create your very own Brussels sprouts recipe. If you'd like to leave it whole, be sure to cut a tiny "X" in the base for more even cooking.

How To Cook Brussels Sprouts

Baked Brussels Sprouts
Before baking your Brussels sprouts, you'll want to decide on the two oven methods. One is truly "baked" and the other is "roasted"....

Boiled Brussels Sprouts
Best when making soups, but you can also use this technique before baking your Brussels sprouts to make them more tender....

Braised Brussels Sprouts
Braising simply means that you will brown your veggie before adding liquid to the pan to complete the cooking process. ...

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
My preferred method, this works nicely when you'd like your sprouts to gain a little flavor with the oil or vegetable broth you'll be cooking it in. You can also use white wine...

Steamed Brussels Sprouts
SO easy, especially when you're in a hurry -- just start them steaming and forget about them until the timer goes off....

Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts
Fun to make, and they cook up in mere minutes....

Brussels Sprouts Vegan Flavor Matches

Create your very own Brussels sprouts recipes with some of your favorite ingredients from this list of foods that match perfectly with Brussels sprouts.

Almonds
Apples
Apple Cider Vinegar
Bacon, vegetarian (Eat sparingly -- this is not a health food.)
Bread Crumbs
Butter, non-dairy (I like Earth Balance)
Caraway
Cardamom
Carrots
Cheese, non-dairy (especially Parmesan, Swiss and Monterey Jack)
Chestnuts
Cream, non-dairy
Dill
Garlic
Ginger
Grapefruit
Green Onions
Hazelnuts
Lemon
Maple Syrup
Miso
Mushrooms
Mustard
Nutmeg
Onions
Oranges
Parsley
Pecans
Pepper, Black
Peppers, Sweet
Pine Nuts
Pistachios
Rice
Rosemary
Salt
Savory
Shallots
Sour Cream, non-dairy (Eat sparingly -- this is not a health food.)
Sugar
Thyme
Vinegar
Walnuts
Wasabi

Psssst...Get ALL the Flavor Matches found throughout VeganCoach.com all in one place with this handy dandy e-book Your Guide To Vegan Flavor Matches.

CLICK HERE TO ASK A QUESTION
ABOUT COOKING BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Brussels Sprouts Helpful Hints

• Brussels sprouts are at their healthiest and most beautiful when they're in season -- fall and winter.
• In the midst of creating your Brussels sprouts recipe, you may notice a rather unpleasant odor. This occurs, usually, when boiled. To avoid, wrap a piece of bread in cheesecloth and add it to your pot.

"I make something that I call Brussels Sprout Hash. I like to slice the Brussels in half, then julienne the halves. Then I saute them in a skillet with shallots in a bit of butter (non-dairy, like Earth Balance or Smart Balance) until they are just starting to caramelize.

"At this point, I add a couple of tablespoons (or more depending on your preference) of pure maple syrup and saute for a couple more minutes. Finish off with toasted, chopped pecans, a little salt and pepper, and DEVOUR.

"This dish is great for vegetarian Thanksgiving and Christmas!"

-- Rick from West Virginia

Discover Brussels Sprouts Nutrition

World's Healthiest Foods.com

If You Like Brussels Sprouts Try...

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