Author Topic: Sprouts (Read 3906 times)

Wowbagger · « **on:** 27 December, 2011, 01:58:18 pm »

I'm always amazed at how many people dislike sprouts.

OK, if your approach to cooking is the same as Mrs. Wow's mother's, then the ~~sprouts~~ slime-balls deserve to be hated, but it's so easy to cook them correctly: 3 minutes on the boil and then tossed in a wok with lardons is one very satisfactory method. We added some shredded leek this year as an experiment (we had a leek left over from the previous day) and that seemed to work fairly well.

But if it hasn't got sprouts then it's not a proper Christmas Dinner.

Julian · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 December, 2011, 02:03:47 pm »

I never used to like them very much. I particularly disliked the way they could harbour gravy, producing a squelchy effect when you bit into them.

I'm moderately keen now - they seem sweeter and less squelchy than they were, although this is probably just the effect of me being older and having fewer taste buds. I did them for Christmas lunch lightly boiled and served with chopped chestnuts, which is nice.

My favourite way to do them is not to boil them at all, but to slice them into three (like small mushrooms) and stir fry them very quickly with onion, ginger, chilli, soy sauce, tiny bit of brown sugar, pak choi and cashews. That goes less well with roast spuds though.

rower40 · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 December, 2011, 02:05:46 pm »

That reminds me - must get them on ready for next year's Christmas.

Kim · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 December, 2011, 02:06:08 pm »

Quote from: Wowbagger on 27 December, 2011, 01:58:18 pm

I'm always amazed at how many people dislike sprouts.

A lot of people lack the gene for tasting the bitterness of green vegetables, so go through life under the mistaken impression that they're somehow pleasant to eat. It makes Christmas dinner akin to something from The Country Of The Blind.

Tewdric · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 December, 2011, 02:18:34 pm »

The best use of a sprout is in the offensive role, used as a projectile fired from a party popper.

Empty out the paper from the party popper, fit sprout that fits snugly but not tightly into the barrel, aim, fire party popper.

Extra points available for hitting anyone in the face or landing the sprout in their glass of wine.

Kim · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 December, 2011, 02:20:31 pm »

Ah, found the link:

http://www.eyegas.com/attackofthesprouts/

Tewdric · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 December, 2011, 02:22:17 pm »

No no no, this is the link:

http://www.eyegas.com/sproutifarts/

andygates · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 December, 2011, 03:29:25 pm »

Just got some more to try sprout okonomiyaki.

Gus · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 December, 2011, 04:24:11 pm »

I allways found sprouts evil food, until I had them cooked the correct way, the where great.
Like Wowbagger says, do not cook them to long time

Wonky · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 December, 2011, 04:30:57 pm »

Without xmas day sprouts, there can be no Boxing Day Bubble'n'Squeak.
And that just wouldn't be xmas.

why1040 · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 December, 2011, 04:37:09 pm »

I'd never had sprouts til I came across them at a then gf's mum's house one evening.

Considering her penchant for overcooking things (shoe-sole beef, grey carrots, etc), I think I can be forgiven for not actually liking the sprouts much!

More recently, I've had them cooked well and the difference is marked, but they're still not something I'd go out and actually buy.

redshift · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 December, 2011, 04:38:11 pm »

Quote from: andygates on 27 December, 2011, 03:29:25 pm

Just got some more to try sprout okonomiyaki.

Cabbage pancake? That I have to try.

I roasted our sprouts with garlic and smoked bacon bits.

orienteer · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 December, 2011, 04:43:37 pm »

Mixing some chestnuts (peeled!) with the sprouts makes them more interesting.

clarion · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 December, 2011, 09:39:50 pm »

It's a cultural meme. My kids loved sprouts till they went to school, where they were told that sprouts were yucky. They stopped eating them.

I used to hate the things. My gran used to cook veg for months. If there was any flavour left in something, she felt it wasn't fit to be served at table. But I've learned how to do them properly, and, though they are a bit of a faff to prepare, sprouts should be something to be enjoyed all year round.

Arch · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 December, 2011, 10:33:19 pm »

Quote from: orienteer on 27 December, 2011, 04:43:37 pm

Mixing some chestnuts (peeled!) with the sprouts makes them more interesting.

And a sprout/chestnut mixture makes even nicer bubble and squeak next day with leftover spuds!

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 December, 2011, 10:43:27 pm »

I like sprouts.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 December, 2011, 10:45:28 pm »

Quote from: Julian on 27 December, 2011, 02:03:47 pm

I did them for Christmas lunch lightly boiled and served with chopped chestnuts, which is nice.

Having just read this thread, it's so easy to misunderstand that sentence - and so much fun!

Kim · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 December, 2011, 10:57:41 pm »

This is freaky. Why is YACF infested with sprout lovers? Have you all been on the Frijj and Ginsters too long?

longers · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 December, 2011, 11:07:36 pm »

As soon as they appeared in the shops I got some for sticking in a corned beef hash, which was a recipe variation I'd just invented that I'd not tried before. 10/10

Jaded · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 December, 2011, 11:09:42 pm »

I love sprouts.

And I've just had some bubble and squeak.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #20 on:** 27 December, 2011, 11:11:06 pm »

You mean you're bubbling and squeaking!

andygates · « **Reply #21 on:** 27 December, 2011, 11:14:34 pm »

Sprout okonomiyaki are good!

Courtesy of a furry horse who only eats greens and oats:

Quote

Finely shred 10 or so large sprouts. Mix with 1 tbsp of flour and a raw egg. Gently fry your dubious mess in oil or butter, in the shape of a pancake. It's done when it looks nice - maybe 10 minutes each side. Serve with sriracha.

(thats's hot garlicky dipping sauce to you and me)

One for a starter or a side.

Jaded · « **Reply #22 on:** 27 December, 2011, 11:21:13 pm »

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 December, 2011, 11:11:06 pm

You mean you're bubbling and squeaking!

All in good time.

spesh · « **Reply #23 on:** 29 December, 2011, 04:01:39 pm »

Quote from: andygates on 27 December, 2011, 03:29:25 pm

Just got some more to try sprout okonomiyaki.

Should that be okonomnomnomiyaki?

rogerzilla · « **Reply #24 on:** 29 December, 2011, 04:05:18 pm »

Sprouts are teh roX0r. About 10-15 minutes in a very small amount of boiling water is right - just keep testing them with a blunt knife, since there is a fairly small window of acceptability between crunchy and sulphurous.

Or just be traditional and put the Christmas Day sprouts on to boil at Hallowe'en.

Poll

Sprouts

Author Topic: Sprouts (Read 3906 times)