in

Cooking Brussels Sprouts: How to Prepare Them?

If you want to cook fresh Brussels sprouts, you should wash and clean the sprouts thoroughly. If the winter cabbage was bought frozen, this step is not necessary. This means that the preparation does not take much effort.

First, remove the withered outer leaves of the fresh Brussels sprouts and cut back the stalks. Before you boil or stew the Brussels sprouts, you can cut the ends of the stalks crosswise. In this way, the heat is better distributed during the cooking process and the Brussels sprouts cook faster.

Place the prepared Brussels sprouts in a large saucepan of boiling salted water and cook, covered, over medium-high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. A pinch of sugar softens the strong cabbage flavor. The Brussels sprouts should not be cooked for too long, otherwise, they will become mushy.

Because many valuable nutrients are transferred into the cooking water during cooking, you should then use the water to prepare a sauce. Alternatively, steam the vegetables with just a little water with the lid closed or use a steamer. In this way, the Brussels sprouts are cooked particularly gently.

When the Brussels sprouts have the desired crispiness, drain them through a sieve. To refine the taste, you can melt a spoonful of butter in a pan and toss the Brussels sprouts in it. Season the finished cabbage with salt and possibly nutmeg and serve. Nutmeg should always be added after cooking, otherwise, the spice will become bitter. After cooking, the Brussels sprouts can also be refined with bacon, apples, or nuts. The small florets are a great accompaniment to many dishes. Or you can make the vegetables the star of the dish, as in our Brussels sprouts casserole recipe.

Avatar photo

Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Which Apple Varieties Are Best For Apple Pie?

Do You Have to Salt Aubergines Before Cooking Them?