Give the humble Brussels Sprout a makeover this Christmas with this delicious and festive Brussels Sprouts Salad served with Bacon and Pomegranate.
Brussel Sprouts…. two words that instill complete fear in children come Christmas Day!
Lets face it, most of us wereforce fed mushy overcooked sprouts at some stage, told we had to eat them because it was tradition.
So it’s no wonder that most of the adult population now regard these as the devil’s own vegetables!
But stay with me because I promise this salad is going to knock the socks off the soggy sprouts you remember from your childhood.
Brussels Sprouts Salad
First of all, this is a salad. A little controversial maybe given the time of year and weather but trust me, raw sprouts make the THE BEST salad base.
There is also parmesan, bacon, flaked almonds and pomegranate seeds involved. Is that enough to tempt you yet?
Pomegranate Dressing
The pomegranate vinaigrette is one of my favourite things about this dish. It’s a wonderful combination of tangy pomegranate seeds and sweet honey.
The colour is absolutely wonderful and really brings the whole dish alive when you pour it on top.
I made my vinaigrette quick thick as I wanted it to coat the salad rather than drown it in liquid and make it soggy. But feel free to add more oil and vinegar if you prefer it less thick.
I mention in the notes of the recipe below that this recipe can be partly made in advance.
This will be really helpful if you plan on making this dish on Christmas Day.
The bacon can be fried in advance. You can also slice the sprouts and scallions and prepare the pomegranate seeds by removing them from the fruit.
I would then keep them in individual containers or bags in the fridge for up to 12 hours and simply add them to the grated parmesan and flaked almonds when you are ready to serve.
The pomegranate dressing can also be made in advance and stored in a jar or container in the fridge.
So what do you think? Have I been able to convince you to give the dreaded brussels sprout a second chance this Christmas?
OTHER RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY
The Easiest Slow Cooker Christmas Ham – The easiest slow cooker Christmas ham or gammon, lightly spiced and served with a refreshing red cabbage salad!
– Use up leftover mashed potato and vegetables by turning them into Bubble & Squeak Fritters.Perfect for kids & adults alike!
Give the humble Brussels Sprout a makeover this Christmas with this delicious and festive Sprout Salad with Bacon and Pomegranate. Adapted from this Chopped Brussel Sprouts Salad by Pinch of Yum
Ingredients
For the salad:
300g bacon
500g raw brussels sprouts
2 scallions
50g parmesan, grated
25g flaked almonds
seeds of ½ pomegranate
For the dressing:
seeds of ½ pomegranate
100ml extra virgin olive oil
30ml white wine vinegar
1 tsp honey
½ tsp dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Chop the bacon into small pieces and fry in a frying pan until cooked and crisp.
Next you will need to thinly slice the brussels sprouts. The easiest and quickest way I found of doing this was in the food processor, using the slicer attachment but you could also do it by hand with a sharp knife. Once the sprouts have all been sliced, slice the scallions in the same way.
In a bowl arrange the bacon, sprouts, scallions, grated parmesan, flaked almonds and pomegranate seeds. You can mix them altogether at this stage but personally I would bring the salad to the table like this as it looks like impressive. You can then toss all the ingredients immediately before serving.
To make the vinaigrette blend the pomegranate seeds, olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, mustard and salt and pepper together in a blender. If the dressing is too thick add a little more oil and vinegar until it reaches your desired consistency.
The vinaigrette can be served mixed into the salad or on the side.
Notes
This salad is perfect for preparing in advance. You can fry the bacon and prepare the sprouts and scallions and keep them all in the fridge until you are ready. The vinaigrette can also be made in advance.
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How do you get your family to eat brussels sprouts…
Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to your diet. They may also come with added health benefits, including decreased inflammation and improved immune system health.
Another reason that Brussels sprouts have a bad reputation is that older cultivars used to taste bitter. In the 1990s, Dutch scientist Hans van Doorn isolated the compounds responsible for the bitter flavor. As a result, seed companies were able to breed and select cultivars that contained less of these compounds.
Another issue with consuming Brussels sprouts excessively is that it can lead to gas and bloating. Therefore, those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be found to be suffering painfully from consuming Brussels sprouts due to aggravated symptoms of gas and bloating.
Brussels sprouts are a source of fiber and may reduce inflammation. This cruciferous vegetable offers nutrients, including antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
Brussels sprouts are especially rich in a plant compound, called kaempferol. This antioxidant has been studied for its many health-promoting properties, including the benefits it has for heart health.
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).
Throw out fresh brussel sprouts that have a foul odor, yellow or wilted leaves, a mushy or slimy texture, or dark spots. Use fresh brussel sprouts within 1–2 weeks of getting them.
Containing more vitamin C than an orange and with just eighty calories in a half pound, Britons eat more of them than any other European country, around 40,000 tonnes a year — and yes, we do eat them all year round. Two-thirds of Brussels sprout consumption in the UK is outside of the festive season.
Broccoli, onions, garlic, sprouts, and cauliflower are all high FODMAP foods and should be avoided by those that suffer frequently from poor gut health.
Burping and flatulating are two ways in which the body gets rid of gas. The average person produces one to four quarts of gas every day and typically flatulates 14 times per day. Water stimulates peristalsis (movement in the intestine). Drinking a cup of warm water may help relieve gas and cramps.
They are extremely hard to digest especially for people having vata dosha. Sprouting increases the concentration of protein, fibre and other nutrients and usually higher protein and fibre is considered hard to digest. 2. Regular consumption of sprouts can lead to diarrhea.
Even some healthy foods can generate digestive discomfort, including beans and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, as well as nutritional and weight-reduction supplements.
While broccoli may have a higher count of calories, fat, and carbs, it is richer in calcium, iron, and pantothenic acid (a B vitamin that does wonders for healthy hair), and has a bit more potassium. Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, are lower in sodium.
Eating a well-balanced diet full of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts can reduce unwanted inflammation in your body. Over time, inflammation can lead to chronic disease, so giving your cells a hit of healthy veggies, like in this roasted green vegetable medley, can help protect them.
In addition to having a bitter flavor, raw Brussels sprouts may increase gas in some people. They contain an indigestible fiber called raffinose, which can be tough on the stomach.
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).
They stimulate detox enzymes found in the liver and may also be protective to cells. This enzyme action helps remove toxins from the blood and support the liver. Brussels sprouts also contain antioxidants that prevent cell damage.
Brussel sprouts are considered a natural weight loss food because they are high in fibre and protein and low in fat and calories. The perfect vegetable to shed tummy fat, Brussel sprouts also hold other health benefits for your nutrition.
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Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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Prep Time: 15 mins
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