Like most children I was genetically engineered to hate green vegetables, broccoli was my only exception. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years avoiding those gross green things and finding ways to make them disappear when they did end up on my dinner plate. I would never imagine that those vegetables I hated so much would later become some of my favorite foods, especially the most hated green of all...brussel sprouts.
When I started working at the Copper Onion I soon found out we had brussel sprouts on the menu, and everybody was saying they were so good. I was deeply concerned about the mental status of my fellow coworkers. I was determined that no matter what I would never eat one. I am the artful dodger of avoiding eating foods I don't like. I have spent at least 20 years perfecting the skill. I was on my A game to avoid brussel sprouts at work.
Yet depsite my opinion that everybody hated brussel sprouts, they seemed to fly out of the kitchen. Everybody must be crazy I decided. My avoidance continued for a few weeks until the smell of the sprouts tantalized my taste buds to a craving. After refusing this craving for a few days I finally gave in and tried the vegetable I had hated for so long.
To my surpise they were amazing. I apparently was the the one the with altered mental status, not the rest of the world. I can't believe that for almost 22 years I have avoided eating such a delicious food. Brussel Sprouts have since filled my life. I have ate them many times at work, gone to special grocery stores to purchase them and have successful got my mom hooked on them as well.
These "mini cabbages" are super healthy for you containing amounts of Vitamins A and C, folic acid, and dietary fiber. It's also been suggested they protect aganist colon cancer. These facts only added to my desire to eat more brussel sprouts.
Many people hate brussel sprouts because they are often overcooked. When brussel sprouts are overcooked they get mushy and sulfuric acid is released giving them an awful smell not the one I enjoy so much. When they lose the vibrant green color they are overcooked. You can cook them a variety of ways though I always cook them like how we cook them at the restaurant. I cut them super thin (juliene) and then saute them with some garlic, salt and pepper and then finish them with a bit of lemon juice. Just don't let them overcook!
I say to everyone if you think you don't like brussel sprouts (as we were genetically engineered not to) try again. They may turn out to be your new favorite food. They now belong at the top of my list.
1 comment:
I still think they are yucky!
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