things i love thursday :: brussel sprouts

Posted on | January 28, 2010 | 13 Comments

B russel sprouts, you ask? those yucky little tiny head-of-cabbage looking buggers that is the ultimate of cliches about not liking veggies? oh yes my friends. oh yes.

my love affair with the b.s. (pardon me if i keep using this during the whole post. it is not only shortening up the word brussel sprouts, but is also making me giggle) started many many years ago. my family has always prepared them cut in half and sauteed in garlic and butter until golden around the edges, a bit crunchy, but not too. delish.

this week i have been cooking my arse off and i wanted to make something with some b.s. i consulted my good friend google and found hundreds of recipes for pasta with b.s. they were all a little different, but all pretty much contained the same main ingredients: b.s., bacon, pasta and cheese. i know, right? the motherload.

the following recipe is not any of those. i made it by doing what i normally do with b.s. and just threw it on some pasta. seriously.

here is your shopping list:

  • um, brussel sprouts. as many as you’d like, really.
  • one box of rigatoni
  • BACON (since i like easy, mine was the hormel already-cooked and made into bits kind, found in the salad dressing aisle).
  • parmesan cheese, shredded
  • butter
  • minced garlic

cut your new little friends into halves (or quarters if they are on the large side). saute them in butter and minced garlic over low-medium heat while you cook your pasta. you want them at a nice happy medium between crunchy and mushy. like i said, golden on the edges. in the last few minutes throw in the bacon crumbles.

i literally tossed the rigatoni in butter, salt and black pepper and called it a day. top with the delicious brussel sprout/bacon concoction and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

i’m definitely not seeing the part where it could get any easier. i ate an embarrassing amount. so simple. won’t you make friends with brussel sprouts?

p.s. monday is the big day! have you entered to win a spunky stork gift certificate yet? if not, go! and stay tuned for squee-worthy news regarding a Harper & Spunky Stork joint venture…

Category: fud, things i love thursday

Comments

  • Liz

    Tried to comment on your blog on Blair’s site but it wouldn’t let me. I loved it! Truer words were never spoken. You rock. And ew 2 week old placenta.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.parentinginprogress.wordpress.com mae

    I am not the biggest fan of the brussel sprouts, I don’t hate them but I dont want to make out with them as much as you do. But since I’m looking for more ways to add vegetables to the menu around here, I am totally game.

    Gonna try to find some at the farmer’s market this weekend!!

    [Reply]

    kerri Reply:
    January 28th, 2010 at 12:03 pm

    mae…read an article about them last night at the hair salon…if you over cook them they are AWFUL!!! but if you cook them to just tender they are actually sweet believe it or not.
    i am going to give them a chance again as well. (minus the bacon :)

    [Reply]

  • rachel

    I love love love brussle sprouts, we call them “alien heads” in our home. My mom made something really similar to this on Thanksgiving (minus the pasta). I think I know what I’m making for din now. yummo!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.canewife.blogspot.com Jennifer @ And Baby Makes 6

    You know, I’m going to give this a shot. MacGyver LOVES b.s. (no pun intended), and I just never really bothered trying. I suppose I could throw him a bone and try something new. Thanks!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.lindseyivory.blogspot.com Lindsey

    This is one of my favorite recipes lately…well not this exact recipe…but my really similar version. I add a bit of chicken broth to it as well: after browning the brussels with garlic I simmer them in the broth and it cooks down after a few minutes. Happy to hear someone else likes them as much as I do…it’s an odd food love, right?

    [Reply]

  • http://lovelyladybump.blogspot.com/ Fingers Crossed

    Lady – you is crazy! haha – I wish I liked B.S but alas, my mouth rejects them every time I try. But pasta, bacon and cheese? That is the motherload!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.aboutallthingslife.com kerri

    chris will LOVE you for this one. he feels bacon should be on everything…its own food group perhaps?!?!

    [Reply]

  • http://mama23bears.blogspot.com/ Stephanie

    we all love bs around here. (that sounds pretty funny!) we have a GREAT recipe we use pretty often. just a side dish but oh so good! bs,and pecans and….well, if you want it i will dig it out and give it to you. but it is to die for!!!

    [Reply]

  • http://jimaiemarie.blogspot.com Jimaie

    i LOVE brussel sprouts so I am droooooooooling over this recipe. My husband on the other hand DOES NOT like them. At all. Not even a little bit. He gets all bothered and angry when I cook them for myself b/c they “make the house smell like farts.”
    The butthead.

    [Reply]

  • Meghan

    Loved your post on Heir to Blair no caps and all!

    As far as brussels sprouts go – super yum – but they gave my breastfed baby the toots something awful so I am forced to go sproutsless for the next few months :(

    [Reply]

  • http://alabastercow.blogspot.com ericka

    found your site after reading your post on blair’s blog (which was spectacular, might i add). i shall be making this dish sans bacon and will be throwing in some vegan earth balance instead of the butter. i’m making myself hungry and probably disgusting everyone else…

    [Reply]

  • http://www.poppymilkface.wordpress.com emily bilbrey

    i would totally nom on this! i love brussels sprouts, but i always kind of forget about them. i’m liking your recipe blogs – hope you keep it up!

    oh and to the above commenter (ericka) might i suggest tempeh bacon? it’s vegan, and although it doesn’t really taste like bacon it is smokey and delicious, and fries up crispy just like bacon does! it’s one of my faves! ;D

    happy cooking, lady! xoxo!

    [Reply]