Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts: 

• 3 cups Brussels sprouts
• 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar (to taste)
• 1/3 cup Morcilla iberico dry cured blood sausage (thinly sliced) or other cured meat
• 1/4 cup Aleppo pepper spiced Almonds (recipe below)
• 2/3 cup Blue cheese crumbles
• To taste Fleur de sel or sea salt
• To taste Aleppo pepper or mild chili flakes

Aleppo Pepper Spiced Almonds: 

Note: Egg white is used as an “adhesive” to keep the seasonings coated to the nuts

• 2 cups Sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon Egg whites
• 1 teaspoon Fleur de sel or sea salt
• 1 tablespoon Aleppo pepper or mild chili flakes

Almonds:

•   Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss nuts with egg whites, salt, and pepper. Coat evenly. Adjust seasoning as needed
•   Lay evenly on a cookie sheet; bake in oven for approximately 7 minutes. Be sure to open oven and stir occasionally to ensure even toasting. Will keep for several weeks; enjoy on salads or as a snack!

Brussels Sprouts:

Blanch and Pan Fry (this is how we do it in the restaurant; this is my daughter’s favorite):

•   Trim the base of the Brussels sprouts (discard) and cut Brussels sprouts in half lengthwise
•   Bring a pot of water to boil; add enough salt so that it tastes like the ocean
• Trust me; this enhances flavor and color

Blanch (cook) Brussels sprouts in boiling water until just tender; approximately 3 minutes

•   Remove from water/strain and toss some ice on them to help cool quicker; be sure to strain all water out of sprouts
•   At this point you can stop the processes set aside and wait until you’re ready to cook dinner. This can be done up to one day ahead of time!

This is where the magic happens!!!

•   Heat a large skillet on high heat. When skillet/pan is very hot; add 2 tablespoons of butter and add Brussels sprouts. Tips:
• Brussels sprouts should NOT be crowded in pan
• Don’t stir yet; be patient. Let them pan roast; only stir when they are golden brown on one side. Then you can shake the pan or stir to get golden brown on the other side
•   When they are golden and crispy; they are done; season to your liking and serve!

Grill/Skewer:

•   Soak skewers in water
•   Trim the Brussels and cut in half (crosswise)
•   Toss in a bowl with olive oil and salt and pepper low (on a higher rack or low flame)
•   Skewer the sprouts onto the skewer leaving a little bit of empty space so as to not crowd
•   Place the skewers where the flame is low (on a higher rack or low flame) and cook until they start to soften slightly
•   Place closer to the flame or increase flame; cook until crispy on outside

Oven Roasted:

•   Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
•   Trim Brussels sprouts; cut in half and encourage the leaves to fall apart
•   Toss all the sprouts in a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper
•   Spread on a cookie sheet; leaving space so they are not cramped is key (crowding will force them to steam and they will be less crispy)
•   Roast in oven for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally