Comments on Supermarket Serenade: What is the secret to loving Brussels sprouts?

The chemical that tastes bitter in brussel sprouts...

2009-07-29T00:02:12.107-04:00

The chemical that tastes bitter in brussel sprouts to people who genetically have the taste receptors is called phenylthiocarbamide. People you cannot detect this chemical don't percieve the bitterness and grossness.

I haven't read through the comments so forgive me ...

2008-12-01T19:57:00.000-05:00

I haven't read through the comments so forgive me if this is a repeat... but I think they might have been overcooked.

I treat brussels sprouts the same way I treat asparagus... the flash cooking. The longer they cook, the more bitter and slimy they become and I just can't handle that. If you haven't been scarred to badly by the first try, maybe try them again without cooking them all the way through... you liked them raw, right? Just get the chill off and your good to go.

~Cat

PS: Cheese and brussel sprouts? Ick. They're mini cabbages! Vinegar... salt, pepper... that's all that's needed.

There is a lot to be said for cooking them just ri...

2008-11-13T13:17:44.762-05:00

There is a lot to be said for cooking them just right--I like to either steam them stovetop, or roast them slowly in the oven. A little EVOO, S&P, and then finish off with a dusting of dill. It's pretty grand.

I happen to love them, but I think it's one of tho...

2008-11-11T09:47:14.670-05:00

I happen to love them, but I think it's one of those things that you either really like or you really don't! Your recipe looks great. And that first picture is about the prettiest picture of a brussel sprout I've ever seen!!

i'm curious as to the appeal of these vile little ...

2008-11-11T08:48:14.673-05:00

i'm curious as to the appeal of these vile little orbs as well. i've never liked any version i've tried, so your efforts and these comments are much appreciated. i'll not give up! :)

Thank you for all the delicious suggestions! I lik...

2008-11-11T08:42:36.010-05:00

Thank you for all the delicious suggestions! I like the bacon idea-bacon can make anything taste good. It would be great to be able to buy fresh Brussels sprouts at a farmer's market instead of the supermarket, but where I live at this time of year my only choice is the supermarket!

My mom grew up HATING brussel sprouts, but I made ...

2008-11-11T08:19:43.484-05:00

My mom grew up HATING brussel sprouts, but I made them with Giada DiLaurentis' recipe for them (a little pancetta, a little chicken broth, s&p) and she loved them! I made them during the day, not for any particular meal and we sat at the kitchen table and shared a big bowl of them.

I recommend Giada's recipe!

I like brussel sprouts, I don't love them. I've n...

2008-11-11T08:18:17.387-05:00

I like brussel sprouts, I don't love them. I've never cooked them before because I know no one would eat them in my picky house. My mom used to season them with salt and pepper and cook them in a pan over the stove with a little butter and olive oil.

I LOVE brussels sprouts, but Thatboy grew up not b...

2008-11-11T00:35:38.834-05:00

I LOVE brussels sprouts, but Thatboy grew up not being a fan. I've tried various methods, and he does not like roasted brussels sprouts, but he actually kinda likes sauteed brussels sprout. His favorite is when I sautee them with a little honey mustard.

I like the brussels sprouts, but I think I like th...

2008-11-10T22:57:31.703-05:00

I like the brussels sprouts, but I think I like them in that "challenging" way. I think the most important thing is to cook them juuuust right--too raw and they'll be tough, too cooked and they get that sad farty flavor of old broccoli. I like to sautee them, cut, in lots of butter or olive oil. Then dress them with a mix of lemon juice, chopped garlic, and parsley, which is how I had them at an excellent tapas place one time. Oh, and don't forget to pull off the tough outer leaves--they are the bitterest.

I've heard they go great with maple, also, but haven't tried that.

I boil or steam them until they are tender, then a...

2008-11-10T19:40:22.911-05:00

I boil or steam them until they are tender, then apply butter, salt to taste and freshly grated nutmeg. Works for me, at least.

I like Brussels sprouts but only one way, the froz...

2008-11-10T19:21:18.029-05:00

I like Brussels sprouts but only one way, the frozen package of Baby Brussels Sprouts in Butter Sauce from the freezer department at the grocery store. I love these. But I've tried about six other recipes that looked good and haven't liked any of them, actually thought most were nasty. So I'm not sure what the secret is.

Now raw is an intriguing idea. Maybe tossed in some kind of salad...

I have to admit I don't ever remember eating a bru...

2008-11-10T17:12:36.108-05:00

I have to admit I don't ever remember eating a brussel sprout either. Maybe I'm not missing much!

For delicious B-R's...toss in olive oil oil, chopp...

2008-11-10T16:47:05.479-05:00

For delicious B-R's...toss in olive oil oil, chopped bacon, onions, some garlic, salt and pepper and a some honey.

Roast in a 425F oven and if you still don't like them...then leave'em alone, never try them again!

So. Years ago a friend of mine smoked brussel spr...

2008-11-10T16:46:30.847-05:00

So. Years ago a friend of mine smoked brussel sprouts for me, and I was immediately in love.

You can do it in your oven easily too. All you do: buy smoking chips, put them in the bottom part of a broiling pan with a tiny bit of water, just so the chips are a little damp, not so much that there is water actually in the pan. (I usually just soak them, but you can pour about 1/3 cup of water over the chips) Then put the brussel sprouts, whole on the top rack part of the pan, cover tightly with foil and leave in a 175 to 200 degree oven for a couple of hours (check fairly frequently)

you end up with something completely delicious. and healthy too.

brussel sprouts are not my favourite :)

2008-11-10T16:27:45.106-05:00

brussel sprouts are not my favourite :)

Thanks for your comment on my blog. As for your qu...

2008-11-10T16:27:28.658-05:00

Thanks for your comment on my blog. As for your question ... I think there are two keys to delicious brussels sprouts. First, you have to get the best ones you can find (actually, this is true for any ingredient!). For me, this means the super fresh ones at the farmer's market instead of the old and wooden one's at my supermarket.

Second, slow, SLOW cooking in just a bit of butter (not much is needed) will give the sprouts time to caramelize.

Now, I make mine with chestnuts and that works for me. I happen to like cranberries and pepitas, but I would not mix them with brussel sprouts - it just does not sound like a good flavor combination to me (but the colors are so pretty, aren't they). But, then, everyone's tastebuds are different.

So here's hoping that helps.

Cheers!

Sorry you are not a fan! I just love them..but my ...

2008-11-10T16:07:27.828-05:00

Sorry you are not a fan! I just love them..but my husband hates them so I never make them!

OK memmerize138...I'm game I'll give it a go!Candy...

2008-11-10T15:45:01.842-05:00

OK memmerize138...I'm game I'll give it a go!

Candy you bad rebellious brussel sprout lovin' motorcyle ridin girl!! What music are you hearing? I don't have music on my page! (I don't think!)

There's a very specific recipe I use for making br...

2008-11-10T15:12:50.012-05:00

There's a very specific recipe I use for making brussels sprouts. Everybody I know who's been a skeptic about them has had to admit that they're delicious after trying this recipe.

Trust me, it's worth it ...

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/goldencrusted-brussels-sprouts-recipe.html

I am in the love brussel spouts camp. I like them ...

2008-11-10T14:26:07.564-05:00

I am in the love brussel spouts camp. I like them pan roasted with a little butter and garlic. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and I'm in heaven. (I know, I'm a little odd)

There pretty much isn't anything I won't eat - I...

2008-11-10T12:53:09.999-05:00

There pretty much isn't anything I *won't* eat - I like it all! But years ago I tried Brussels Sprouts and hated them. 20+ years I tried them again and love, love, love them now! It might be (as a few people mentioned) like the "anti-cilantro gene". You either love it or hate it. My opinion... give the sprouts another try sometime down the road... you might like them!

I like them as long as I'm not cooking them, for s...

2008-11-10T11:53:08.279-05:00

I like them as long as I'm not cooking them, for some strange reason if I cook them they're nasty. Go figure!

Oh your killing me! It depends on the day for me ....

2008-11-10T11:06:21.758-05:00

Oh your killing me! It depends on the day for me . . as to whether or not I like brussell sprouts! Sometimes they sound soooo good and then i make an incredible recipe with them and ugh . . . I can't eat they. Other days I love them with parmesan cheese or ketchup (gross I know . . . a friend got me eating them like that). I really wanted to make them for Thanksgiving last year and everyone voted me down! If you find a recipe you like let me know . . . good luck!

Actually, there is a chemical found in brussel spr...

2008-11-10T10:42:24.801-05:00

Actually, there is a chemical found in brussel sprouts that some people can taste and some people can't. If you can taste it, it is really bitter. That is why so many people don't like brussel sprouts, they are tasters of the chemical. I wish I knew what the name of the chemical was... but now you know why you don't like them!

Comments on Supermarket Serenade: What is the secret to loving Brussels sprouts?

The chemical that tastes bitter in brussel sprouts...

I haven't read through the comments so forgive me ...

There is a lot to be said for cooking them just ri...

I happen to love them, but I think it's one of tho...

i'm curious as to the appeal of these vile little ...

Thank you for all the delicious suggestions! I lik...

My mom grew up HATING brussel sprouts, but I made ...

I like brussel sprouts, I don't love them. I've n...

I LOVE brussels sprouts, but Thatboy grew up not b...

I like the brussels sprouts, but I think I like th...

I boil or steam them until they are tender, then a...

I like Brussels sprouts but only one way, the froz...

I have to admit I don't ever remember eating a bru...

For delicious B-R's...toss in olive oil oil, chopp...

So. Years ago a friend of mine smoked brussel spr...

brussel sprouts are not my favourite :)

Thanks for your comment on my blog. As for your qu...

Sorry you are not a fan! I just love them..but my ...

OK memmerize138...I'm game I'll give it a go!Candy...

There's a very specific recipe I use for making br...

I am in the love brussel spouts camp. I like them ...

There pretty much isn't anything I *won't* eat - I...

I like them as long as I'm not cooking them, for s...

Oh your killing me! It depends on the day for me ....

Actually, there is a chemical found in brussel spr...

There pretty much isn't anything I won't eat - I...