[SMN HEALTHY HOLIDAY Recipes] BEER BRAISED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

If there’s one vegetable I’d want to increase in popularity, brussels sprouts would be it. I grew up thinking, “Brussels sprouts? Eeew!” But come to think about it, have I ever tasted them? I haven’t tasted one sprout but because of all the bad connotations I just didn’t want to even try one, ever!

It was only three years ago that I had my first brussels sprout and was I surprised. It tasted good! It was sweet, slightly bitter, but in a healthy kind of way. Then I learned that, not only did it taste good, but it’s good for you, too. Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane which is a compound that exhibits anticancer, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial properties. So needless to say,brussels sprouts are great for you!

ImageImage

So without further ado, here’s my own recipe for the best, healthiest, tastiest, and easiest brussels sprouts!

[Serve M.E. Now]’s Beer Braised Brussels Sprouts

1 pound of brussels sprouts (trimmed and sliced in half), 1 fennel bulb (sliced), 1/2 a yellow onion (sliced), 1 cup of Deschutes Brewery’s Jubelale (http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/brew/jubelale), 1/2 cup of unfiltered apple juice, 1/2 cup of unsalted chicken broth, 2 tbsp of whole grain mustard, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 tbsp of salt, 1 tsp of pepper, 1 tsp of granulated garlic, 1 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 tsp of dried oregano. (For directions for this recipe, subscribe to this blog or leave me a comment.)

The second star in this dish is the festive winter ale that the Deschutes Brewery in Portland, Oregon, produces in the Jubelale every single winter. It’s a malty, hoppy, peppery, chocolaty and perfectly spiced ale that helps braise these brussel sprouts and fennel into perfection. Jubelale is available from October to December annually. When it becomes available, I enjoy, not only drinking it, but cooking with it as well. This gives a new meaning to a beer pairing. Try this beer out and trust that you’ll fall in love as much as I did. It’s available at Whole Foods Market nationwide as you read this blog. Let me know what you think.

Image

If you have any questions about this recipe, just leave a COMMENT here on this blog, EMAIL me at servemenowcatering@yahoo.com, TWEET me at @servemenow, or LIKE me and on facebook.com/servemenow!

Stay tuned for the next recipe! Happy Holidays!