Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Among all types of cancer, prevention of the following cancer types is most closely associated with intake of Brussels sprouts: bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer.  I have recently increased my intake of Brussels sprouts due to their superb properties, as well as just because I think they are so darn good!  I wanted to get away from the high - calorie white sauce that I had been making to top them with, and with experimenting, found some easy and great tasting alternatives.  If you have qualms about eating Brussels sprouts, increase the salt you put on them.  Slowly back off on the salt as you learn to enjoy them.  Here is my favorite sprout recipe, today. 




Ingredients:


1 lb. Brussels sprouts
2 Tbsp. minced garlic (3 cloves)
1 tsp. lemon juice
3 Tbsp. olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper.
freshly grated Parmesan is optional


Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Places Brussels sprouts in a cast iron frying pan, or roasting pan.
• Toss in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Stir to coat.
• Cook 5 min. on medium heat.
• Place sprouts in oven, top rack, for 20 min. 
• Stir, cook another 10 min.  Sprinkle with cheese lightly, cook another 5 min.
  
  
  Outside leaves should be dark and lightly crusted.  
  
  
                                                                                                                      mel
  
                                                                  
  Optionally, you can toss in 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard, cider vinegar, pine nuts, thyme, or roasted chestnuts.  Add them during the last 5 minutes.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Wine Parings:
                                                                                          Meagan's and my favorite 
  
  Pinot Noir                                                           
  Cabernet Franc
  Pinot Grigio
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
                                                                          
  
  
                                                                               
                                                                                 
  
  
  
  
  The leftovers waited patiently,
  In the fridge for their turn.
  They did not harbor resentment,
  Nor was their rejection of concern.
  
  
  Except for Brussels sprouts,
  Who worried they'd be overlooked -
  They reeked of rotten eggs and sauerkraut,
  For they’d been overcooked.
  
  
  

  

  Yams tried to console Brussels with some sage advice:
  “Sure, you’re the lesser cousins of a greater creed,
  But rest assured, even you will be sought after 
  By gluttony and greed."
  
  
  The vegetables and their sauces, 
  Gravy, and cornbread dressing too,
  Congealed under plastic wrap,
  Between the mayo jar and last week's stew.
  
  
  Cranberries, potatoes and turkey
  Cooled in the old Frigidaire.
  Whipping cream and pumpkin pie,
  Sat idly by without a care.
  
  
  But as the leftovers leisurely gossiped,
  In the crisp Freon atmosphere,
  Brussels foresaw a hopeless future:
  "We're never getting out of here!"
  
  
  Brussels sprouts just knew,
  With their rancid smell,
  They’d be the only leftovers
  The gluttons would repel.
  
  
  The others humored Brussels,
  While furtively rolling their esculent eyes.
  Then as predicted they heard a voice:
  "You get the turkey, I'll get the pies!”
  
  
  They could hear dishes clanging,
  And the fridge door slowly creaking -
  The gluttons had arrived,
  Whispering and sneaking.
  
  
  Leftovers were piled onto plates, 
  And happily heated in the microwave.
  Except for the Brussels sprouts,
  Who were left behind to rot, rant and rave.
                                                     Rachel Howells
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Mel


P.s. New camera, can you tell?  :o)