Apple & Brussels Sprouts Slaw Recipe - Cookin Canuck (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

It turns out that giving Brussels sprouts a good soak can help them to cook evenly throughout. Not only will the sprouts have a better texture after being soaked, but you won't have to choose between burning the outside and undercooking the inside.

But despite their differences, Brussels sprouts and cabbage are fairly similar in taste, albeit sprouts are a little more bitter. Raw dishes aside, you can often substitute one for the other, depending on how bitter you like your vegetables.

The bitter taste of Brussels sprouts comes from compounds called glucosinolates and their degradation products, he explains. These bitter tasting compounds are an important part of the plant's defence mechanism against leaf-eating enemies, such as insects, nematodes, slugs, and herbivores, like pigeons and deer.

Contributed by Whole Foods Market, Inc. To prepare, soak Brussels sprouts in a bowl of cold, salted water for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 400°F.

The flavor components that contribute to a bitter flavor are concentrated in the center of the brussels sprout. If you slice the the veggie in half, it helps to release some of those compounds during the cooking process. Smaller is better when it comes to tenderness and flavor.

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

If you want your roasted Brussels sprouts to be seriously crispy, you need to crank up the heat. Roasting at a low temperature won't allow them to brown properly, so you want to get that oven nice and hot before tossing in your baking sheet. Follow this tip: Roast Brussels sprouts at a minimum of 400°F.

Without oil, Brussels don't brown and soften—they dehydrate. Its also possible that they simply need more time in the oven. Cooking times vary depending on their size. A cooked Brussels sprout should be pierced easily with the tip of a sharp knife.

Sorry to burst a Barbie-sized bubble, but no, these sprouts are not actually baby cabbages. However, they are in the same family, the Brassica, or cruciferous family. Other members include kale, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, turnips, mustard, and bok choy.

A Dutch scientist named Hans van Doorn, who worked at a seed and chemical company, figured out exactly which chemical compounds in Brussels sprouts made them bitter. The next step was to plant sprouts with the least amount of these chemicals and eventually cross-pollinate the chemicals out.

Are brussel sprouts good for diabetics? ›

Yes, people living with diabetes can eat Brussels sprout as they are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which can help regulate blood sugar levels. However, it is important to monitor portion sizes and overall carbohydrate intake.

We love Brussels sprouts in so many dishes, whether roasted or fried. But there's some exciting preparations that don't necessarily involve cooking at all. Raw Brussels sprouts can be a delicious addition to so many salads and slaws, and they couldn't be easier to enjoy.

Brussels sprouts fall into the Brassica oleracea family of cruciferous vegetables that also includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and collard greens. Cruciferous vegetables contain a sulfur-containing phytochemical called glucosinolate, which is responsible for the distinctive odor and bitter flavor.

Soaking: Think of soaking as the initial step before actually sprouting a legume, grain, nut or seed. Many people soak beans before cooking to cut down on cooking time and reduce compounds that may cause gasiness in our digestive systems (although it's not completely necessary, it's definitely recommended).

However, the natural agents that protect them from early germination can wreak havoc in our digestive system. Soaking and sprouting replicates germination, which activates and multiplies nutrients (particularly Vitamins A, B, and C), neutralizes enzyme inhibitors, and promotes the growth of vital digestive enzymes.

Brussels sprouts should be kept unwashed until use; any excess water or moisture can cause molding. If your vegetables come home moist because they were spritzed in the grocery store, pat them dry with a paper towel.