
I know there are many Brussels sprout hatters out there and this probably won’t be a popular post. Which is fine with me because I happen to love those cute miniature cabbages. Growing up in my Mexican home Brussels sprouts were nowhere to be found. I only heard of their existence from one of my friends. She would complain and try to hide out at my house when her mother put Brussels sprouts on the dinner menu. So I just figured they were another one of those weird foods Americans ate, like Sloppy Joes. Mind you that opinion was formed without ever having tried one, much less laying eyes on a single Brussels sprouts.

The first time I saw or tasted Brussels sprouts was at one of my in-law’s Thanksgiving dinner. My husband was surprised I had never eaten a Brussels sprout so he insisted I have a taste. Let me tell you, I was so very pleasantly surprised. They were roasted to perfection with walnuts and red onions, heavenly. From then on I often asked my hubby to make them for me. My husband prepares his Brussels sprouts different then those at my in-law’s and I love his just as much. He likes to boil them with very little water and lots of butter, and a few seasonings. Since learning to cook I continued to prepare them like my hubby taught me. Usually we just buy frozen for the convinience and fact that they are available year round. But the other day I found fresh, raw Brussels sprouts and I did a little happy dance.

I’ve been waiting to get my hands on fresh Brussels sprouts for a long time so you can imagine how excited I was to see them. Immediately I knew they would be roasted with a little oil and garlic. The almonds came to mind as a way of adding a little crunch and a bit more nutritional value to the side dish. So I kept it simple and below is what I did.
- 500 gm or 1 lb. fresh raw, Brussels Sprouts
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 100 gm or 3.5 oz blanched almonds
- olive oil, about 1-2 tbsp – adjust to taste
- salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
- Preheat oven to 200c or 392f . Properly rinse the Brussels Sprouts, remove any damaged outer leaves. Cut off bottom stem, then cut in halves. In a large bowl gently toss the Brussels Sprout halves with the remaining ingredients. Making sure to evenly coat the Brussels Sprouts.
- Place in center of oven and roast until desired firmness. Please note that I roasted them for 20 minutes to our personal taste. But know that overcooking Brussels sprouts will cause them to release an unpleasant odor.

Many of you have probably asked yourselves, do Brussels sprouts come from Brussels? According to Wikipedia “many historian do not believe the plant originated there.” So then why are they named after a city in Europe which they do not come from you ask? What I read said that they were cultivated in ancient Roman times in modern day Italy and in the 1200s in Belgium. What we know today as a Brussels sprout was cultivated in Belgium during the late 1500s in mass quantities and apparently that is the reason behind the name.

Did you know that Brussels sprouts are quite nutritious? Well they are! They are a good source of fiber, loaded with vitamins k and c, can help lower cholesterol, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, good for your heart, they are just really good for you okay? I know the Brussels sprout haters are saying if they are so good for you then why do they taste so bad? Well, I’ll tell you. It’s because you or whomever cooked them for you overcooks them. Apparently overcooking Brussels sprouts causes them to release an unpleasant sulfur smell giving them that bad taste. So don’t over cook them. But not just because of that smell but also because they loose their nutritional value. Since I’m guilty of overcooking Brussels sprouts I wont give you the best time to cook them but just know that the shorter the cooking time the best results you’ll have. So give Brussels sprouts another chance won’t you? Nod your head yes. Good foodie, now get in that kitchen. :)
Check out these great Brussels sprout recipes :
-Brussels Sprouts, Pancetta and Caramelized Red Onion Crostini by Kitchen Confidante
- Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Turkey Bacon by Slice of Feist
- Maple-glazed pan-roasted Brussels sprouts with chestnuts by Food and Style
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grapes with Walnuts by Cooking Healthy For Me
-Brussels Sprouts with Stilton, Bacon, and Figs by Mystery Lover’s Kitchen
-Skillet Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Lardons by Tasty Trix
- Amaretto Garlic Butter Brussel Sprouts by What’s Cookin’ Italian Style
-Brussels Sprouts with Canellini Beans and Almonds by A Thought For Food
-All About Brussels Sprouts by Kitchen Simplicity
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{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh WOW!!!! These looks so wonderful. I just loved the combo of leafy brussel sprouts and the nutty almonds. Wish I could get hold of brussel sprouts in my part of the worls :(
Hi Nishi, Thank you :) Too bad you can’t get them, sorry.
I LOVE Brussels sprouts and despite the fact that I haven’t even had breakfast yet your photo just made my tummy rumble. The crunch of the almonds is a great touch. Thanks for including my link by the way!
Yay, a fellow Brussels sprout lover. I loved your recipe so it was my pleasure.
Looks great! Love the browned almonds :)
I just had my first liking-Brussel-sprouts experience last night, so now I want to experiment!
Thank you Kiri. How funny is that :) Good for you.
Awe thanks so much for the mention here, but your photos are so spectacular, I am drooling over them! WOW~ just amazing as expected… wished you had a school I could go too!
I am going to go check out some of the other wonderful dishes you listed happy thanksgiving! and again thanks for mentioning me!
Claudia, I loved your recipe and it was so unique so had to include it. Thank you sweetie :) You too happy Thanksgiving.
brussels sprouts and almonds are a perfect match — what lovely photography and a yummy recipe — maybe I’ll have this on my thanksgiving table!
Thank you Lauren. Let me know if you do so I can add your link.
I’m a fellow brussel lover too! I don’t know how or why they got such a bad reputation here. Its very strange given how yummy they are. This recipe looks great! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Julie, Thank you :)
Oh my you make brussel sprouts look SO good!! Lovely dish! :)
Thank you Kelly : )
This recipe looks amazing! I am getting some Brussels Sprouts this week and I would love to try them this way.
Thank you Ruth! Great I hope you have fun and love them this way .
For some reason, this type of produce I never see. Think I will have a talk with the produce guy, I am not even sure when it is in season. Anyhow this does make for a tasty and healthy side dish-roasting does sound like the perfect method of preparation. Nice touch with the almonds. Definitely something I need to add to the selections for side dishes. Terrific post.
I think we are in Brussels sprout season. Hopefully you will start having them available in your store soon. Thanks Tina!
Funny, I’ve been dreaming up a recipe that includes brussels and hazelnuts, so your recipe is very timely. Looks delicious!
Carolyn that sounds delicious!
Almonds with Brussels sprouts are new to me. Thanks a lot.
Thanks!
Mmmmm….I am the only Brussels sprouts lover in this house, but I’ve already decided they’ll grace our Thanksgiving Day table. I’ll be happy to eat every one myself! Gorgeous photos as always…and your recipe sounds fabulous!
More for you to enjoy then Liz :) Thanks!
Honestly Nancy, I’m not a fan either of Brussel Sprouts but if yours taste as heavenly as your photo looks I’ll have to try them the way you’ve made them. Your photography is breathtaking!
Thank you !
I must confess they aren’t my fave, but my husband loves them. I will have to make him some for Thanksgiving, it should score me a few brownie points. Just tried your print feature, so cool.
-Gina-
Oh well forget then Gina, we can’t be friends anymore. Just kidding :) Cool to hear that it works so thanks for letting me know.
Mmmmm, my hubby turned me on to brussel sprouts. I love them if they are done right, but if they are bitter, I don’t like them. Those look great though!
Thanks Sharon!
Perfect side dish.
Thank you Christine!
Roasting is my favorite way of making them but I might have to try your husband’s butter method as well!
I really love both ways and it just depends on what we are having for dinner.
These look amazing! I was a hater, until I realized that roasting them turned them into pure magic! Your recipe looks stunning! Your photos are lovely, as always! Thanks for including a link to my recipe….you made me smile!
Hi Ann, Thank you and glad to bring a smile to your face. Makes me smile then :)
These look so delicious. Your pictures are absolutely stunning.
Thank you Kim!
That looks wonderful! I love brussel sprouts they are so yummy!
Thanks Ravie!
Oh my goodness!!! You photographs are super glorious and your blog is just so very lovely! I can’t wait to keep reading. :)- regards, Slice of Feist
Thank you Kirsten :)
You have made these into such a beauty! As a child I detested them, but found out as an adult that it was more the way they were prepared. No offence to my Master Chef Dad, but one he added bacon…and as you probably know I do not do meat, next the inner portions were so bitter. Now I love them, but more like you have prepared them. Will want to try this :)
Oh you poor thing having to smell and see the bacon. But I have to admit that it sounds really good that way too. Sorry ;(
I have only had brussel sprouts a few times in my life, the first time they were not prepared very good, so I didn’t try them again for a long time, but I think if they are cooked just right they can be amazing, this sounds try-worthy so I am bookmarking your recipe to try soon!
Absolutely, done the right way they taste amazing. Thanks!
Wow, the brussels sprouts look really good, and considering I’ve spent my whole life thinking they were the grossest vegetable ever, amazes me. But lately seeing them cooked on tv and now here, I admit to wanting to give them another try.
Hi CatRenee, Thank you! I think you should give them a try then you can decide from there. You never know right ?:)
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