Smart Fuel: Brussels Sprouts
While the effects of Brussels sprouts aren’t likely to win you any friends—unless you’re interested in hanging with the lads at the local fraternity—these cruciferous little devils pack a serious health punch.
Once considered a delicacy in Belgium—and since named Britain’s least favorite food, according to one recent poll—Brussels sprouts are loaded with compounds that disarm cell-damaging free radicals and help detoxify the body. In fact, less than a cup a day of the little critters is thought to reduce the risk of cancer—particularly those affecting the breast, liver, colon and bladder—and reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 71% in men and 59% in women, according to one recent study. In addition, Brussels sprouts’ off-the-charts vitamin C content—which clocks in at 4 times that of an orange—can help shore up the body’s immune response and give your skin a healthy glow (but not in a freaky Paris Hilton-esque fake-and-bake way!)
If you’re still conjuring up images of a childhood spent avoiding sprouts, step away from the steamer and instead try roasting the sprouts until crisp and brown. If masking the taste is what you’re after, consider adding a touch of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt and course ground pepper, or shredding and then sautéing them for inclusion in casseroles and other comfort foods.
Now that’s a super fuel worth tooting your horn about!
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Posted By: Worker Bee
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I like to grill them in a “Grill basket”.
Some olive oil and sea salt.
Hated them as a kid.
Coincidence- we just tried this recipe for sprouts last night. They were so easy and so damn tasty they’d probably wind up in regular rotation as a side dish just on that alone.
Tip in general: whether you steam them, roast them, or grill them, slice them in half so as much of the interior is exposed as possible. Most of the bitter compounds that make sprout-haters out of children will readily leach out into the cooking medium (oil or water) that way.
I guess I’m strange. I went to a Catholic school as a kid where the nuns would make sure you cleaned your plate. I used to eat other kid’s spinach, brussel sprouts, and lima beans so they could make it to recess. But I did stick the brocolli inside a a milk carton to get past Sister Mary Aquinas!!
I love Brussels sprouts!
I was never the biggest fan of vegetables growing up. I can only recall eating Brussels sprouts once as a child and disliking them heartily. My wife cooked some up for her and my daughter a few years back, and I tried them for the first time since childhood. I couldn’t believe how rich and flavorful they were! I wolfed them down like they were chocolate bars (a guilty pleasure of mine. They are one of the only vegetables that I actually crave. Just thinking of a bowl full of Brussels sprouts makes my mouth water. I’ll have to check the freezer when I get home. I think Brussels sprouts may be on the menu tonight!
Amen! I second the 101cookbooks recipe. It’s one of by absolute favorite things to eat. They’re rich and nutty and almost obscenely delicious.