Remember when your mother made you eat your brussels sprouts? Well, I don't! Growing up in Malaysia, these miniature cabbages do not exist, so I was spared this childhood nightmare of consuming them. However, I suffered from having to eat another kind of sprout, the dreaded bean sprouts! But that's a story for another time. Though these little guys have a bad rep, they can be quite delicious, if prepared properly. Brussels sprouts are an autumn/winter vegetable and they are in season right now.
I have a quick and delicious way to prepare them that would please even the most picky eaters and it involves just a couple of extra ingredients other than the sprouts.
All you need are:
1/2 lb. brussels sprouts
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic (chopped fine)
Bacon (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
To prepare the brussels sprouts, cut off a little of the stem end to remove some of the dark parts and then cut them in half right down the middle. That's it. Now, heat up a skillet and melt the butter. Place the brussels sprouts flat side down onto the skillet and let them brown slightly. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper and then turn them over and brown the other side as well. They should be tender when done. Remove the brussels sprouts and add a little butter (if needed) and the garlic, cooking for 30-45 seconds. And you are done. Simple, isn't it? If you like, add some bacon as brussels sprouts go very well with it.