Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate - Robust Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you roast brussel sprouts without getting soggy? ›

Roast the Brussels Sprouts at high heat

Drizzle the other half of your olive oil in the preheated baking sheet and lay the brussels sprouts face down. Roast the brussels sprouts at 450F for about 30 minutes or until the leaves are dark golden brown and crispy (the cooking time will vary based on your oven).

Moisture is the enemy of crispiness.

There's nothing wrong with soft and chewy Brussels, but if your goal is the type of crispy Brussels that they're serving at your favorite bistro you MUST thoroughly dry the surface of the sprouts before sautéing and/or roasting them. If they are wet they will steam instead of crisp.

Not using enough oil.

We like to use olive oil, but plain vegetable oil is great too. If the sprouts are well-coated, they'll caramelize and char instead of simply softening in the oven. Follow this tip: For every 1 pound of Brussels sprouts, you'll want to use 2 tablespoons of oil.

In the late 1990s scientists identified specific chemicals, called glucosinolates, that made Brussels sprouts taste bitter. Plant breeders started growing old seeds, previously discarded for producing paltry harvests, to identify tastier versions with lower levels of these compounds.

Just make sure there's enough fat on the brussel sprouts (and the pan) to help them get crispy. A good rule of thumb is at least 1 Tbsp olive oil per pound of brussel sprouts. I go up to 1 1/2 Tbsp. Don't tell anyone.

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

Your first step should always be to blanch the brussels sprouts. This is basically when they get submerged in boiling water just for a few minutes, not until they're fully cooked, but just enough to take away some of the bitterness. Blanching also softens them and preserves their beautiful bright green color.

Preheat + Prep

There is no need to soak brussels sprouts before roasting. To prepare them, simply wash brussels sprouts, peel outer (dirty) leaves, and trim bottoms. Discard these extra leaves and pieces. Halve clean brussels sprouts and place them onto a baking sheet.

Unlike other vegetables, Brussels sprouts can be parboiled (even a day ahead) to reduce the roasting time without hurting their texture.

Do you roast brussel sprouts face up or down? ›

Place them face down and resist the urge to move them around. A searing hot baking sheet with the brussels cut side down is the key to crispy brussel perfection.

The flavor components that contribute to a bitter flavor are concentrated in the center of the Brussels sprout. If you slice the the veggie in half, it helps to release some of those compounds during the cooking process. Smaller is better when it comes to tenderness and flavor.

About 30 years ago, a Dutch scientist identified the chemicals that made brussels sprouts bitter. He selected seed varieties with lower levels of the bitter chemicals and bred new high-yielding varieties that tasted less bitter.

A Dutch scientist named Hans van Doorn, who worked at a seed and chemical company, figured out exactly which chemical compounds in Brussels sprouts made them bitter. The next step was to plant sprouts with the least amount of these chemicals and eventually cross-pollinate the chemicals out.

Brussels sprouts are a member of the brassica family, which includes mustard and turnips, so it's hardly surprising that there's pungent possibility lurking within those tiny leaves. You want to cook them in ways that encourage the sweet possibilities.

Roast 'em! Our two rules: place and space! Place them cut side down to create that slightly crunchy exterior and soft interior. Space them out evenly so they don't steam–a crowded sheet pan party is not where your brussels want to be.

Using a two-step method, brussels sprouts should be covered and steamed in the oven for 10 minutes, then roasted until crispy for 9 to 12 minutes.

To prepare brussel sprouts, you should rinse them well or even soak them if you have enough time. Trim the bottoms and outer leaves off, then cut them in half to prep them for roasting.