BRUSSEL SPROUTS

Can a vegetable re-invent itself? Brussel sprouts appear to have.

At what point did this much maligned vegetable become fashionable again? It's particularly big in the States which is surprising considering that Macaroni Cheese is deemed a vegetable and Jell-O, a salad. The poor things used to be tolerated at Christmas lunches and then otherwise forgotten for most of the year, much to the relief of children everywhere. They sometimes popped up in a good Bubble & Squeek.

Just as kale has recently had its day in the sun and cauliflower has become the new vegetable hero, Brussel sprouts are absolutely a la mode.

One of the most popular salads we serve in our bakery is Brussel Sprouts & Kale with Pecorino Cheese and Bacon, and it really is tasty. In our version we cook the sprouts and kale as we find it brings out their natural sweetness and nuttiness, but in most recipes the sprouts and kale are usually served raw (another surprise - raw Brussel sprouts?).

The dish makes an enjoyable warm Winter salad for lunch, eaten on the sunny stoep with good company, a bottle of Shiraz and some crusty bread. It also makes a fine accompaniment to a juicy pork chop or roast chicken.

 A super trending vegetable.

sarah pierce

Family's Warm Brussel Sprout + Kale Salad with 

Pecorino Cheese and Pancetta

Salad:

1 kg brussel sprouts, outer strips peeled and cut into quarters
1 kg kale, sliced thinly as can be quite tough

8 slices good streaky bacon, sliced into small lardons or Pancetta if you can find it

250ml roasted almonds, chopped

125ml grated pecorino

Dressing:

2 tbs lemon juice

1 tbs Dijon mustard

1 tbsp shallot, finely chopped 

1 large clove garlic, finely chopped

75ml Good quality Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Steam kale and brussel sprouts for 10 minutes.
2. Toss sprouts in hot frying pan with butter until some colour appears.

2. Mix all the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake

3. Mix all the salad ingredients together and toss in the dressing

Serve warm.