Brussels sprouts - ewww! Right?

I spent my entire life hating Brussels sprouts. After all, I had them once in middle school, and they were boiled and bitter, so that pretty much sealed the classification "inedible." However, when I explained this logic to a friend, they ask me how many middle school opinions I still hold onto (ouch!) - so I reluctantly decided to revisit the Brussels sprout decision.

I waded into the waters slowly, first trying them during Thanksgiving when "Aunt Patty" (not my aunt, but close!) made Brussels sprouts for dinner. They were deeeeelicious!!

And so, I now associate them with everything tasty at Thanksgiving. So if you haven't made them before, THIS is your week!

There's not much on the ingredient list:

Brussels sprouts (in a bag or on a stalk)
Olive oil
Kosher Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
½ tsp sugar. (Don’t skip the sugar – it’s the secret ingredient!!)
Lemon –squeeze over the top at the end, but that’s completely optional

The trick is in the preparation, so follow along and you’ll be in for deliciousness!!

Place the cookie sheet in the oven and preheat WITH THE COOKIE SHEET IN THE OVEN to 450.

While the oven heats, clean and chop the sprouts in half. If I’m using the kind from a bag, I usually cut a little bit of the base off just to get to a fresh end (like it’s a Christmas tree!). This means that some of the outer leaves come off – which is fine.

Toss the halves (and the little leaves that have come off) with olive oil, salt & pepper to taste and about ½ tsp sugar. Don’t let the “to taste” thing throw you. Err on the side of going light with the salt and heavy with the pepper. You can adjust the seasonings at the end. The sugar helps the Brussels sprouts from getting bitter during the roasting process so don’t skip!

When the oven is (finally) done heating, remove the cookie sheet and put the sprouts on the sheet so that the flat sides are down and their little rounded backs are up. You have to work quickly so that you don’t lose the heat on the sheet. I turn them all over with my fingers – the tongs just aren’t fast enough.

Roast for 10-12 minutes – or until they are the golden brown that you like!

If you have a lemon around, squeeze a little on top (no more than one half of a small lemon) for some extra flare. Adjust the seasoning to your liking. Serve & Enjoy!

Master of the Sprouts!